title: Low-copper diet as a preventive strategy for Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Copper is an essential element, and either a copper deficiency or excess can be life threatening. Recent studies have indicated that alteration of copper metabolism is one of the pathogenetic mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In light of these findings, many researchers have proposed preventive strategies to reduce AD risk. Because the general population comes in contact with copper mainly through dietary intake, that is, food 75% and drinking water 25%, a low-copper diet can reduce the risk of AD in individuals with an altered copper metabolism. We suggest that a diet-gene interplay is at the basis of the "copper phenotype" of sporadic AD. Herein, we describe the pathways regulating copper homeostasis, the adverse sequelae related to its derangements, the pathogenic mechanism of the AD copper phenotype, indications for a low-copper diet, and future perspectives to improve this preventive strategy.
authors.affiliation: Fatebenefratelli Foundation for Health Research and Education, AFaR Division, "San Giovanni Calibita" Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Rome, Italy; Laboratorio di Neurodegenerazione, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: rosanna.squitti@afar.it.
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Squitti
authors.affiliation: Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariacristina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siotto
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Polimanti
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002570:Ceruloplasmin / Q000378:metabolism; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000079923:Copper Transporter 1; D004032:Diet; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000737:chemistry; D004386:Duodenum / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005504:Food Analysis; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D000079923:Copper Transporter 1; D060766:Drinking Water; C490079:SLC31A1 protein, human; D003300:Copper; D002570:Ceruloplasmin
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Copper; Diet; Diet-gene interaction; Drinking water; Food; Genetics; Metabolism; Prevention; Susceptibility