Glutamate uptake is decreased in platelets from Alzheimer's disease patients.
Because excitotoxicity may be involved in neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease, we investigated possible modifications of platelet glutamate uptake in AD patients. High-affinity glutamate uptake was studied in platelets from 35 Alzheimer's disease patients, 10 multi-infarct dementia patients, and 35 age-matched normal controls; it was decreased by 40% in platelets from Alzheimer's disease patients compared with controls and with multi-infarct dementia patients. Platelet glutamate uptake could be used as peripheral marker of glutamatergic involvement and as adjunctive diagnostic tool in Alzheimer's disease patients.
Ferrarese
C
C
Department of Neurology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza, Italy.
Begni
B
B
Canevari
C
C
Zoia
C
C
Piolti
R
R
Frigo
M
M
Appollonio
I
I
Frattola
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005971:Glutamates / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D005971:Glutamates