title: Ceruloplasmin/Transferrin ratio changes in Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: The link between iron and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been mainly investigated with a focus on the local accumulation of this metal in specific areas of the brain that are critical for AD. In the present study, we have instead looked at systemic variations of markers of iron metabolism. We measured serum levels of iron, ceruloplasmin, and transferrin and calculated the transferrin saturation and the ceruloplasmin to transferrin ratio (Cp/Tf). Cp/Tf and transferrin saturation increased in AD patients. Cp/Tf ratios also correlated positively with peroxide levels and negatively with serum iron concentrations. Elevated values of ceruloplasmin, peroxides, and Cp/Tf inversely correlated with MMSE scores. Isolated medial temporal lobe atrophy positively correlated with Cp/Tf and negatively with serum iron. All these findings indicate that the local iron accumulation found in brain areas critical for AD should be viewed in the frame of iron systemic alterations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, AFaR-Fatebenefratelli Hospital, 00186 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Squitti
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salustri
authors.forename: Mariacristina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siotto
authors.forename: Mariacarla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ventriglia
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vernieri
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lupoi
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cassetta
authors.forename: Paolo M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Rossini