Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40770530›Full record

Observational studyGeroScience2026

Mitochondrial dysfunction in peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMC) of individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Fabian Dieter, Karlotta Jacobs, Alice Quentin, David Prvulovic, Andreas Reif, Johannes Pantel, Ulrich Pilatus, Elke Hattingen, Silke Matura, Gunter Peter Eckert

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in GeroScience, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Fabian Dieter *Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
Karlotta Jacobs *Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Alice QuentinInstitute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
David PrvulovicDepartment of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Andreas ReifDepartment of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Johannes PantelGeriatric Medicine, Institute of General Practice, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Ulrich PilatusInstitute for Neuroradiology, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Elke HattingenBrain Imaging Center (BIC), University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Silke Matura *Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Gunter Peter Eckert *Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany. eckert@uni-giessen.de.ORCID 0000-0002-8002-9983

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of aging and many age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) refers to a clinical condition characterized by noticeable cognitive decline that exceeds normal age-related changes but does not significantly interfere with daily functioning. MCI is often considered an early stage of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease. We therefore investigated the relationship between mitochondrial function in peripheral blood cells and cognitive performance in individuals with amnestic (aMCI) and nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment (naMCI). Control groups consisted of young (YC) and older adults (OC) who were physically and mentally healthy. Cross-sectional observational study involving 90 participants, including young adults, cognitively healthy older adults, and individuals with MCI. Mitochondrial function was determined in cryopreserved PBMCs. Cognitive status was assessed using the German version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) test battery. ATP levels in cryopreserved PBMC isolated from individuals with aMCI were significantly lower than those of OC and YC. Endogenous respiration varied significantly between groups, with the MCI group exhibiting the lowest respiration. Linear regression analyses with ATP as a predictor for cognitive performance showed a significant positive relationship between ATP levels and both immediate recall and fluency. The regression coefficients indicated a moderate positive correlation between ATP levels and performance in both tests. This suggests that higher ATP levels are associated with improved cognitive performance. Our data suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction in PBMC is associated with MCI and correlates with cognitive impairment. Subjects who performed poorly on neuropsychological tests also exhibited lower ATP levels. Given that PBMC are easily accessible, they offer valuable insights into the bioenergetic status of individuals at increased risk for dementia. The study (PEM-MCI) has been retrospectively registered at the German Register of Clinical Trials (DRKS) DRKS00036017 (registered on 30.01.2025).

Indexed as

Cognitive DysfunctionLeukocytes, MononuclearMitochondriaAdenosine TriphosphateAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCognitionCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeuropsychological TestsYoung AdultAdenosine TriphosphateAgingMild cognitive impairmentMitochondrial functionPBMC

Identifiers

PMID40770530
PMCPMC12972151

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.