Trace elements in Alzheimer's disease pituitary glands

Levels of mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), rubidium (Rb), and zinc (Zn) were measured in the pituitary gland to assess the possibility of a potential difference in the environmental Hg exposure of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and control subjects and levels of other elements of inte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological trace element research 1998-04, Vol.62 (1-2), p.107-114
Main Authors: Cornett, C R, Ehmann, W D, Wekstein, D R, Markesbery, W R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Alzheimer Disease - metabolism
Alzheimer's disease
Detoxification
Female
Humans
Male
Mercury
Middle Aged
Pituitary gland
Pituitary Gland - metabolism
Rubidium
Selenium
Spectrum Analysis
Trace elements
Trace Elements - metabolism
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Summary:Levels of mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), rubidium (Rb), and zinc (Zn) were measured in the pituitary gland to assess the possibility of a potential difference in the environmental Hg exposure of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and control subjects and levels of other elements of interest in AD. The pituitary gland has been established as a good predictor of environmental Hg exposure. Neutron activation analysis was utilized to determine levels of these elements in pituitary glands of 43 AD subjects and 15 control subjects. No significant differences were observed between the AD and control means for these five elements. The sole significant Pearson's correlation involving Hg was the established correlation with Se, indicative of the detoxification of Hg. The absence of a statistical difference between AD and control pituitary gland Hg levels suggests AD patients do not have an excessive environmental exposure to Hg compared to controls.
ISSN:0163-4984
1559-0720
DOI:10.1007/BF02820026