Altered L‐carnitine and acylcarnitine profiles in APOE e4 carriers with Alzheimer’s disease reflect impaired fatty acid oxidation.

Abnormal lipid metabolism is now considered one of the key biological features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The L‐carnitine system plays an important role in lipid metabolism, particularly fatty acid (FA) transport and metabolism in mitochondria. Blood and tissue acylcarnitine accumulation reflects incomplete fatty acid beta‐oxidation (FAO), corresponding with insulin resistance, oxidative stress and inflammation. We hypothesized that changes in blood and brain markers of the L‐carnitine system would indicate dysfunctional FAO in aging e4 carriers, thereby influencing AD pathogenesis.