title: Serum alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin in Alzheimer's and Binswanger's disease.
abstract: The deposition of beta A4-amyloid in senile plaques and small cerebral vessels is one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Recent data suggest that protease inhibitors such as alpha 2-macroglobulin may be involved in the process of forming beta A4 amyloid deposits. Compared to 34 persons without neurological diseases, the serum content of alpha 1-antitrypsin was increased in 16 patients with Alzheimer's disease and 15 with Binswanger's disease. In the latter alpha 2-macroglobulin was also elevated in serum. Our results show no evidence of a blood-borne origin of the protein or peptid deposited in the walls of small vessels in Alzheimer's or Binswanger's disease. Nevertheless, the elevated proteinase inhibitor concentrations may play a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie, Medizinische Universität Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wetterling
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Tegtmeyer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood*; D015161:Dementia, Multi-Infarct / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis*; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins