Anti-NGF autoantibodies and NGF in sera of Alzheimer patients and in normal subjects in relation to age.
It has been suggested that inflammation may be a possible cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Increased anti-NGF autoantibody levels and increased NGF frequency in serum have previously been associated with inflammatory responses. In this study no changes in anti-NGF autoantibody titers or in NGF frequency were detected in sera of AD patients, suggesting that they are not involved in the neuroimmunological mechanisms underlying AD. There were neither age-associated changes in NGF frequency in sera of four groups of normal subjects between 18-91 years of age. In contrast, anti-NGF autoantibodies were significantly increased in sera of the 31-45 yr age group.
Dicou
E
E
INSERM U298, Lille, France.
Vermersch
P
P
Penisson-Besnier
I
I
Dubas
F
F
Nerrière
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors