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Evidence for the presence of antibodies to cholinergic neurons in the serum of patients with Alzheimer's disease

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Summary

A blind study showing that serum from patients with Alzheimer's disease causes immunolysis of mammalian brain synaptosomes is reported. Control, aged-matched, sera were largely without effect. The immunolysis was directed mainly against cholinergic synaptosomes. The data presented support the hypothesis that autoimmune mechanisms may operate in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Imperial College of Science and Technology, SW7 2AZ, London, UK

    P. Foley, H. F. Bradford & M. Docherty

  2. The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, 10021, New York, NY, USA

    H. Fillit, V. N. Luine & B. McEwen

  3. Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Umea, S-90187, Umea, Sweden

    G. Bucht

  4. Department of Geriatric Medicine, Karolinska Institute, S-10401, Stockholm, Sweden

    B. Winblad

  5. Department of Biochemistry, St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, UK

    J. Hardy

Authors
  1. P. Foley
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  2. H. F. Bradford
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  3. M. Docherty
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  4. H. Fillit
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  5. V. N. Luine
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  6. B. McEwen
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  7. G. Bucht
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  8. B. Winblad
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  9. J. Hardy
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Foley, P., Bradford, H.F., Docherty, M. et al. Evidence for the presence of antibodies to cholinergic neurons in the serum of patients with Alzheimer's disease. J Neurol 235, 466–471 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314249

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314249

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