Metal concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Assessing Iron Deposition in the Brains of 5xFAD Mice by Perls'/DAB Staining
Published on: May 23, 2025
Lars Gerhardsson1, Thomas Lundh, Lennart Minthon
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy and University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. lars.gerhardsson@amm.gu.se
Background/Aims:
The homeostasis of essential metals such as copper, iron, selenium and zinc may be altered in the brain of subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Methods:
Concentrations of metals (magnesium, calcium, vanadium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, selenium, rubidium, strontium, molybdenum, cadmium, tin, antimony, cesium, mercury and lead) were determined in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in 173 patients with AD and in 87 patients with the combination of AD and minor vascular components (AD + vasc). Comparison was made with 54 healthy controls.
Results:
The plasma concentrations of manganese and total mercury were significantly higher in subjects with AD (p < 0.001) and AD + vasc (p
Conclusion:
Besides the raised plasma mercury concentrations, no consistent metal pattern in plasma or CSF was observed in patients with AD.
Related Concept Videos
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Dementia l: Introduction
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

