title: Heavy metals and neurodegenerative diseases: an observational study.
abstract: In this study, we evaluated the levels of some of the most investigated metals (Cu, Se, Zn, Pb, and Hg) in the blood of patients affected by the most common chronic neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS), in order to better clarify their involvement. For the first time, we investigated a Sicilian population living in an area exposed to a potentially contaminated environment from dust and fumes of volcano Etna and consumer of a considerable quantity of fish in their diet, so that this represents a good cohort to demonstrate a possible link between metals levels and development of neurodegenerative disorders. More specifically, 15 patients affected by AD, 41 patients affected by MS, 23 healthy controls, and 10 healthy elderly controls were recruited and subjected to a venous blood sampling. Quantification of heavy metals was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This technique has allowed us to establish that there is a concomitance of heavy metal unbalance associated with AD more than in other neurodegenerative pathologies, such as MS. Also, we can assess that the concentration of these elements is independent from the diet, especially from occasional or habitual consumption of fruits and vegetables, prevalence in the diet of meat or fish, possible exposure to contaminated environment due both to the occupation and place of residence.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, contrada Casazza, 98124, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giacoppo
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galuppo
authors.forename: Rocco Salvatore
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Calabrò
authors.forename: Giangaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Aleo
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marra
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sessa
authors.forename: Daniel Giuseppe
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Bua
authors.forename: Angela Giorgia
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Potortì
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dugo
authors.forename: Placido
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bramanti
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mazzon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood*; D012802:Sicily; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy