Absorption of Aluminium-26 in Alzheimers Disease, Measured Using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry

Date

2000

Authors

Moore, P Brian
Day, J P
Taylor, G
Ferrier, L Nicole
Fifield, L Keith
Edwardson, J

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Volume Title

Publisher

S Karger AG

Abstract

Although chromosomal abnormalities underpin some early onset cases of familial Alzheimer's disease (AD), most cases are sporadic and not associated with such abnormalities. Aluminium (Al) is a significant but controversial risk factor for sporadic AD, and studies have reported associations between Al and the principal pathological features of AD, senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The present study measured gastrointestinal (GI) absorption of Al under normal dietary conditions using 26Al tracer and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Following overnight fast, 13 AD patients (aged 63-76 years) and 13 age-matched controls (aged 62-76 years) ingested a fruit drink containing 27 ng 26Al. Plasma samples were obtained before and 1 h after the drink and from these the fraction of 26Al absorbed across the GI tract was estimated. The GI tract rigorously excludes Al with only 0.06-0.1% of the ingested Al being absorbed. The mean fraction absorbed by AD subjects exceeded controls by a factor of 1.64 (p ≤ 0.05, Anova). AMS is capable of determining < 10-16 g of 26Al with many orders of magnitude more sensitivity than other techniques. Using this sensitivity, we have shown, under normal physiological conditions, that the ability of the GI tract to exclude Al is reduced in AD, possibly leading to greater systemic exposure to Al. Public health measures to limit Al dietary uptake or bioavailability may decrease the prevalence of AD in the community and should be considered.

Description

Keywords

Keywords: aluminum; tracer; adult; aged; Alzheimer disease; article; chromosome aberration; clinical article; controlled study; diet; female; gastrointestinal absorption; human; male; mass spectrometry; neurofibrillary tangle; priority journal; risk factor; senile Accelerator mass spectrometry; Aluminium, isotopic; Alzheimer's disease; Gastrointestinal absorption

Citation

Source

Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders

Type

Journal article

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