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Some new studies have revived aluminum as a possible cause of alzheimer's disease. We take a closer look at the reason for this suggestion.
Does Aluminum cause Alzheimer's Disease?
Aluminum and Alzheimers Disease
In the early 1980's some researchers found aluminum in the cores of senile plaques. The fact that aluminum was found close to AB deposits in senile plaques suggested that it might be a cause of alzheimer's disease. Aluminum was further suggested as a cause of dementia because it had been noted that dialysis patients, who sometimes develop dementia, had high aluminum levels in their blood.
Workers began to look for aluminum in the brains of alzheimer patients. Some studies,indeed, did find high aluminum levels in the brains of patients. However, just as many studies failed to find aluminum in the brains of patients. An additional complication was that other metals, such as silica, iron, and zinc were found in senile plaques, along with aluminum. Such results cast doubt on aluminum as the cause of alzheimer's disease. Other studies cast doubt, too. One study showed that heavy users of aluminum-containing antacids did not show an increased incidence of alzheimer's disease [1]. A study of workers in the aluminum industry also failed to show a higher incidence of alzheimer's disease [2].
Some new studies have revived aluminum as a possible cause of alzheimer's disease. Aluminum, in cultured tissue, can cause AB to aggregate and clump together[3]. Other metals, such as iron and zinc, can also cause AB to clump together in insoluble deposits. One study showed that aluminum was able to induce more AB aggregation than iron or zinc [4].
Several recent studies have also found aluminum to be higher in the blood of alzheimer patients[5,6]. Two studies have shown that when alzheimer patients and normal elderly are given a drink containing aluminum citrate, alzheimer patients consistently absorb more aluminum in their gastrointestinal tract than do normal elderly [7,8]. The fact that alzheimer patients may absorb more aluminum from what they drink has added significance when you consider some other evidence.
Seven studies I have reviewed show that high aluminum in drinking water increases the risk for alzheimer's [9,10,11,12,13,14,15]. Only one study was negative [16]. A study done last year reports that alzheimer risk is doubled when aluminum content in drinking water is greater than 0.1 milligram per liter. The study also finds that dissolved silica in the water actually decreases risk . Clearly, aluminum increases alzheimer risk, but exactly how remains unclear.
Reprinted with permission by Jim Knittweis, Owner, Alzheimer Solutions
