 mitochondria are essential for cellular functioning and have been shown to play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, researchers found that mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to increased levels of the Alzheimer's disease risk factor apolipoprotein E, APO. This was observed when either the electron transport chain was disrupted directly or indirectly via gene editing of specific mitochondrial membrane transporters. The researchers also found that these changes in APO levels were associated with an inflammatory gene expression profile. They concluded that mitochondria may be involved in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. This article was authored by Megan E. Wynne, Holloway's An Open Boner, Alicia Arlene, and others.