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Copper Levels in Alzheimer's

Recent research shows that Alzheimer's disease patients may have higher blood levels of copper.

79 Alzheimer's patients and 76 healthy adults within the same age range took part in this study. All took tests to measure memory and mental functioning. Blood levels for copper and for a gene called Apo e4 were assessed. This gene is believed to increase the risk for developing Alzheimer's.

The results showed that copper levels were 54% higher in the Alzheimer's patients. Those in the study group with higher copper levels also did poorly on the testing of memory and mental functioning. The Alzheimer's patients were more likely to have the Apo e4 gene by a fourfold margin.

Alzheimer's disease patients were also nearly 4 times more likely to have the Apo e4 gene,

Researchers suggest that minerals such as excess copper, iron and zinc may be involved in the formation of brain plaques often found in the brain Alzheimer's patients.

Source: Neurology 2002;59:1153-1161

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