Oxidative Stress, Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs), and Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Metabolic Perspective
Virginia Boccardi, Francesca Mancinetti, Patrizia Mecocci
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are closely linked to oxidative stress and advanced glycation end products (AGEs), two interrelated processes that exacerbate neuronal damage through mitochondrial dysfunction, protein aggregation, and chronic inflammation. This narrative review explores the metabolic interplay between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and AGEs, with a focus on the AGE-RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) signaling axis as a driver of neurodegeneration. Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies highlights their combined role in disease progression and underscores potential therapeutic targets. Strategies including mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, AGE inhibitors, RAGE antagonists, and metabolic interventions are discussed, along with future directions for biomarker development and personalized treatments. This review integrates current molecular insights into a unified metabolic-inflammatory model of AD, highlighting translational therapeutic opportunities.