Mitochondrial abnormalities are found in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but previous reports haven't examined at-risk groups. In subjects with AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and nondemented aged controls, platelet and lymphocyte mitochondria were isolated and analyzed for Complexes I, III, and IV of the electron transport chain. Western blots were used to control for differential enrichment of samples. Results demonstrated significant declines in Complexes III and IV in AD, and a significant decline in Complex IV in MCI. This report confirms mitochondrial deficiencies in AD, extends them to MCI, and suggests they are present at the earliest symptomatic stages of disease.