Abstract
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease and the part played in it by aluminum is still speculative. We have studied serum aluminum in 356 healthy people, and we have observed that serum aluminum concentration is increased in aging people in relation to age. We suggest that this could be associated with an enhanced gastric permeability or by an increase in metal accumulation proportional to age. We have measured serum aluminum levels in patients with probable Alzheimer’s disease, patients with other senile dementias, and agematched group. Patients with probable Alzheimer’s disease have statistically significant higher serum aluminum levels than patients with other types of senile dementias (alcoholic, vascular, multi-infart) and an age-matched control group. When we compare serum aluminum of patients with senile dementias from other causes with the agematched control group, we do not find significant differences.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
E. J. Underwood,Trace Elements in Human and Animal Nutrition, 3rd ed. Academic New York (1971).
G. A. Trapp,Neurotoxicol. 1, 89–100 (1980).
D. P. Perl, and A. R. Brody,Science 208, 297–299 (1980).
J. M. Candy, J. Klinowski, R. H. Perry, A. Fairbairm, A. E. Oakley, and J. A. Edwardson,Lancet 1, 354–357 (1986).
T. VogtWater Quality and Health Study of a Possible Relationship Between Aluminum in Drinking Water and Dementia (Sosiale og okonomiske studier 61; English abstract) Central Bureau of Statistics of Norway, Oslo (1986).
C. N. Martyn, D. J. P. Barker, C. Osmond, E. C. Harris, J. A. Edwardson, and R. F. Lacey,Lancet 1, 59–62 (1989).
G. McKhann, D. Drackman, and M. Folstein,Neurology 34, 939 (1984).
D. Shore, S. W. King, W. Kaye, E. F. Tousey, H. J. Winfrey, S. G. Potkin, D. R. Weinberg, J. Sovovy, M. R. Wills, and R. S. Wyatt,Neurotoxicology 1, 55–63 (1980).
J. M. Kellet, A. Taylor, and J. J. Oram,Lancet 1, 682 (1986).
G. J. Naylor, A. H. W. Smith, A. McHarg, P. J. Walker, B. Shepherd, N. J. Ward, and M. Harper,Trace Element Med. 6, 93–95 (1989).
J. L. Fernandez Martin, M. Macho, E. Gomez Granda, B. Diaz Lopez, A. Sanz Medel, and J. B. Cannata,Rev. Clin. Exp. 185, 14–18 (1989).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zapatero, M.D., Garcia de Jalon, A., Pascual, F. et al. Serum aluminum levels in alzheimer’s disease and other senile dementias. Biol Trace Elem Res 47, 235–240 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02790122
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02790122