Metal concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Background/aims: The homeostasis of essential metals such as copper, iron, selenium and zinc may be altered in the brain of subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Concentrations of metals (magnesium, calcium, vanadium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, selenium, rubidium, strontium, molybdenum, cadmium, tin, antimony, cesium, mercury and lead) were determined in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in 173 patients with AD and in 87 patients with the combination of AD and minor vascular components (AD + vasc). Comparison was made with 54 healthy controls.

Results: The plasma concentrations of manganese and total mercury were significantly higher in subjects with AD (p < 0.001) and AD + vasc (p <or= 0.013) than in controls. In CSF, however, the concentrations of vanadium, manganese, rubidium, antimony, cesium and lead were significantly lower among subjects with AD (p <or= 0.010) and AD + vasc (p <or= 0.047) than in controls. Strong positive correlations were noted between plasma Cs versus CSF Cs in subjects with AD (r(s) = 0.50; p < 0.001), and AD + vasc (r(s) = 0.68; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Besides the raised plasma mercury concentrations, no consistent metal pattern in plasma or CSF was observed in patients with AD.