| Theme |
Trace Elements in Dialysis Treatment |
| Title |
Aluminum and Alzheimer's disease |
| Author |
Masahiro Kawahara |
Department of Analytical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare |
| Author |
Yoichiro Kuroda |
Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience / CREST (Core Research for Evolution Science and Technology), Japan Science and Technology Agency |
| [ Summary ] |
Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the earth. However, it is nonessential and a widely known neurotoxin. Although the implication of aluminum in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease has been discussed for decades, it is still controversial. In this article, we reviewed the relationship between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease based on numerous recent studies. Aluminum inhibits more than 100 enzymatic functions and causes various toxic effects in the central nervous system, such as the accumulation of Beta-amyloid protein. Although aluminum in foods is slightly absorbed in the gastrointestinal pathway, it is retained and accumulates in the brain permanently. In particular, the contamination of aluminum from iatrogenic sources such as TPN solutions is significant due to its high absorption rates. We conclude that an unnecessary intake of aluminum is harmful to human health. |