Leptin boosts cellular metabolism by activating AMPK and the sirtuins to reduce tau phosphorylation and β-amyloid in neurons

► Leptin treatment of neuronal cells reduces Aβ and phospho-tau levels via AMPK and SIRT1. ► Metabolic disturbances in neurons could precede pathological changes in AD. ► AMPK or SIRT1 could be drug targets for AD.