Imbalances of trace elements related to oxidative damage in Alzheimer's disease brain
Cornett, C.R.; Markesbery, W.R.; Ehmann, W.D.
Neurotoxicology 19(3): 339-345
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0161-813X PMID: 9621340 Document Number: 485698
Four elements that have been implicated in free-radical-induced oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease (AD) were measured by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) in seven brain regions from 58 AD patients and 21 control subjects. A statistically significant elevation of iron and zinc was observed in multiple regions of AD brain, compared with controls. Mercury was elevated in AD in most regions studied, but the high variability of mercury levels in both AD and control subjects prevented the AD-control difference from reaching significance. Selenium, a protective agent against mercury toxicity, was significantly elevated only in AD amygdala. The elevation of iron and zinc in AD brian has the potential of augmenting neuron degeneration through free radical processes.