title: Ceruloplasmin and iron proteins in the serum of patients with Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The oxidative activity of ceruloplasmin (CP) in serum has been found to be lowered in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated whether changes in CP were reflected by altered iron parameters in AD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Iron parameters, and CP concentration, activity and specific activity were determined in the serum of 41 AD patients and controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CP activity and specific activity were significantly lower in the AD patients. CP concentration and activity were negatively correlated with the ferritin concentration in both groups. CP concentration was positively correlated with age in the control group but not in the patients group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lowered CP activity in the serum of AD patients was not reflected by the iron parameters. As CP concentration only rises with age in the controls, this may indicate failing adaption to age-related alterations in iron metabolism in AD patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland.
authors.forename: Gudlaug
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Torsdottir
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kristinsson
authors.forename: Jón
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Snaedal
authors.forename: Torkell
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jóhannesson