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Oxidative imbalance in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease

Ilaria Guidi1, Daniela Galimberti, Silvia Lonati

  • 1Department of Neurological Sciences, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy.

Neurobiology of Aging
|January 10, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Oxidative imbalance, marked by higher homocysteine and lower antioxidant capacity, is linked to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). These changes, particularly reduced antioxidant capacity, are specific to AD and MCI.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Oxidative imbalance, involving reduced antioxidant enzymes and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), is implicated in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is a known risk factor for AD and contributes to oxidative damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between oxidative stress markers and dementia in AD, MCI, and vascular dementia (VaD) patients.
  • To compare plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), ROS levels, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) across different dementia groups and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma tHcy, ROS, and TAC levels were measured in 71 AD, 36 MCI, 28 VaD patients, and 44 age-matched controls.
  • Statistical analyses were performed to compare levels between groups and identify correlations.

Main Results:

  • Significantly increased tHcy levels were observed in AD and VaD patients, with a trend in MCI.
  • TAC was significantly decreased in AD and MCI patients but not in VaD patients.
  • ROS levels correlated with age, not specific dementia types; TAC negatively correlated with AD duration.

Conclusions:

  • AD and MCI patients exhibit a pattern of elevated tHcy and reduced TAC.
  • While elevated tHcy is present in VaD, decreased TAC is specific to AD.
  • The study suggests decreased TAC may be a primary driver of oxidative imbalance in AD, rather than increased ROS.

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