DHEA-S plasma levels and incidence of Alzheimer's disease.
BACKGROUND
Cross-sectional studies controlling for age and gender reported a relationship between Alzheimer's disease and low dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) plasma levels. Prospective data with sufficient control for confounding factors are lacking.


METHODS
A nested case-control study examined baseline DHEA-S in participants of the Berlin Aging Study. Cases (n = 14) developed dementia of the Alzheimer type within 3 years. Control group A (n = 14) was matched for gender, age, multimorbidity, and immobility. Control group B (n = 13) was matched for gender and age and comprised participants free from multimorbidity, immobility, multimedication, need of help, incontinence, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and depression.


RESULTS
The mean plasma DHEA-S concentration of case subjects was 1.02 +/- 0.61 mumol/L. Both control groups had higher mean DEHA-S levels, in control group A, it was 1.89 +/- 1.24 mumol/L (p = .012) and in control group B 1.70 +/- 1.38 mumol/L (p = .093).


CONCLUSIONS
This population-based prospective study supports the role of DHEA-S as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
Hillen
T
T
Department of Internal Medicine-Geriatrics, Medical Faculty, Humboldt University Berlin/Charité, Germany.
Lun
A
A
Reischies
F M
FM
Borchelt
M
M
Steinhagen-Thiessen
E
E
Schaub
R T
RT
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies
D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate