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Proliferation of internal membranes in platelets from patients with Alzheimer's disease

G S Zubenko, I Malinakova, B Chojnacki

    Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
    |July 1, 1987
    PubMed

    Insights

    Alzheimer's disease patients show significantly more atypical platelets with increased membrane fluidity compared to healthy individuals. This suggests a potential dysregulation in platelet membrane biosynthesis in Alzheimer's disease.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Biochemistry
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
    • Platelet membrane alterations have been implicated in AD pathogenesis.
    • Previous studies suggest increased platelet membrane fluidity in AD.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate ultrastructural platelet abnormalities in Alzheimer's disease.
    • To correlate platelet membrane fluidity with morphological changes in AD patients.

    Main Methods:

    • Electron microscopy was used to examine platelets from AD patients and healthy controls.
    • Platelet membrane fluidity was measured using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) fluorescence anisotropy at 37°C.

    Main Results:

    • A significantly higher frequency (15.5%) of atypical platelets with abundant internal membranes was observed in AD patients compared to controls (4.6%).
    • Platelet membranes from AD patients exhibited increased fluidity, confirmed by DPH measurements.
    • Increased membrane fluidity correlated with the frequency of atypical platelets.

    Conclusions:

    • The findings suggest a link between increased platelet membrane fluidity and morphological platelet abnormalities in Alzheimer's disease.
    • A dysregulation of platelet membrane biosynthesis may underlie the observed changes in AD.
    • Platelets may serve as a valuable model for studying AD-related membrane pathophysiology.

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