[Decreased 67-gallium plasma protein binding in senile dementia of the Alzheimer type]

We examined the plasma-protein-binding of 67-gallium in 10 patients with probable dementia of the Alzheimer-type (DAT), diagnosed according to NINCDS-ADRDA-criteria, and in 10 healthy controls matched for age (mean: 82 and 83 years) and sex (2m:8f). In comparison to the control group, the percentage of 67-gallium bound in the plasma of DAT-patients was significantly decreased (10.6% vs 15.5%; p less than 0.05). As gallium and aluminum show corresponding biochemical characteristics, these results may indicate a potential contribution of a disturbed peripheral transport in DAT, leading to the intracerebral deposition of neurotoxic aluminum levels.