Clioquinol induces autophagy in cultured astrocytes and neurons by acting as a zinc ionophore

► Clioquinol acts as a zinc ionophore and introduces zinc into autophagic vacuoles. ► Clioquinol induces autophagy in astrocytic cultures in a zinc-dependent manner. ► Autophagy induced by clioquinol reduces accumulation of huntingtin aggregates. ► Excessive clioquinol induces autophagic cell death especially in neurons. ► In conclusion, adequate doses of clioquinol may have beneficial actions in the Alzheimer's Diseases brains.