AMPK is a master regulator of cellular energy homeostasis and a central player in glucose and lipid metabolism.
It is potentially involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as its activity decreases in AD brain, indicating decreased mitochondrial biogenesis and function.
Both drugs, Metformin, an important drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and Resveratrol, increase the activity of AMPK. AMPK activation in turn decreases mTOR signaling activity to facilitate autophagy and promotes lysosomal degradation of Abeta that is found in plaques in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease.