Abstract

GUTIERREZ, Fernanda et al. Serum levels of aluminum in a group of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2014, vol.48, n.4, pp.485-490. ISSN 0325-2957.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly population. It is clinically characterized by progressive loss of memory and other cognitive skills. There are several proposed AD causes as triggers, among which are environmental factors including malnutrition, cranial injuries and exposure level aluminum (Al), because this metal is a neurotoxic substance. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum aluminum levels in patients with Alzheimer's disease, institutionalized in Veroes town, Yaracuy state during May-June 2013 period. The sample consisted of 22 patients with AD and the control group was represented by 12 patients without AD. Serum aluminum concentrations were determined by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (ETAAS) with graphite furnace. Median values of serum aluminum of 2.15 mg/L, with a maximum height of 3.0 mg/L for the AD group were obtained, while the control was 1.60 mg/L, with a maximum of 3.30 mg/L. None of the patients had serum Al levels above the allowable limit. Higher figures of this metal were observed in patients with AD compared with the control group, as well as being significantly higher in females and in those eating antacids.

Keywords : Aluminum; Alzheimer's disease; Senile dementia.

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