title: A review of epidemiologic studies on aluminum and silica in relation to Alzheimer's disease and associated disorders.
abstract: Although the neurotoxicity of aluminum is well established, the association between the metal and dementia or associated disorders remains a subject of debate. In this article, we present a review of articles published on epidemiologic studies of this subject. Different sources of exposure are considered (occupational exposure, aluminum-containing products), with emphasis on drinking water. We separate the various health effects of aluminum into three categories: neurological disorders (other than cognitive decline or AD); cognitive decline; and dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, we present the results obtained on silicon in drinking water, a chemical constituent that interacts with aluminum. We conclude that not enough epidemiological evidence supports a link between aluminum in drinking water and AD. The role of silica in drinking water has been less studied, and clear results have not yet emerged.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U330, Bordeaux. Virginie.Rondeau@isped.u-bordeaux2.fr
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rondeau
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D012825:Silicon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D000535:Aluminum; D012825:Silicon