Metal concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
The homeostasis of essential metals such as copper, iron, selenium and zinc may be altered in the brain of subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD).


METHODS
Concentrations of metals (magnesium, calcium, vanadium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, selenium, rubidium, strontium, molybdenum, cadmium, tin, antimony, cesium, mercury and lead) were determined in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in 173 patients with AD and in 87 patients with the combination of AD and minor vascular components (AD + vasc). Comparison was made with 54 healthy controls.


RESULTS
The plasma concentrations of manganese and total mercury were significantly higher in subjects with AD (p < 0.001) and AD + vasc (p <or= 0.013) than in controls. In CSF, however, the concentrations of vanadium, manganese, rubidium, antimony, cesium and lead were significantly lower among subjects with AD (p <or= 0.010) and AD + vasc (p <or= 0.047) than in controls. Strong positive correlations were noted between plasma Cs versus CSF Cs in subjects with AD (r(s) = 0.50; p < 0.001), and AD + vasc (r(s) = 0.68; p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Besides the raised plasma mercury concentrations, no consistent metal pattern in plasma or CSF was observed in patients with AD.
Gerhardsson
Lars
L
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy and University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. lars.gerhardsson@amm.gu.se
Lundh
Thomas
T
Minthon
Lennart
L
Londos
Elisabet
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008672:Metals, Alkali / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008673:Metals, Alkaline Earth / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008875:Middle Aged
D008670:Metals; D008672:Metals, Alkali; D008673:Metals, Alkaline Earth; D019216:Metals, Heavy