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Relationship between autoimmune thyroid disease Rand Alzheimer's disease
G Genovesi1, P Paolini, L Marcellini
1Chair of Endocrine Physiopathology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Panminerva Medica
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Alzheimer's Disease patients show increased levels of antithyroid antibodies (TgAb and MCSAb). This suggests a potential link between autoimmune thyroid conditions and Alzheimer's Disease pathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Alzheimer's Disease (AD) involves beta-A4 amyloid deposition in the brain.
- Amyloid Protein Precursor (APP) gene, encoding beta-A4, is on chromosome 21.
- Down's Syndrome (Trisomy 21) patients develop AD and often have antithyroid antibodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate antithyroid antibody levels in Alzheimer's Disease patients.
- To explore the association between autoimmune thyroid markers and AD.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to measure antibody titres.
- Studied 34 AD patients and 30 non-demented controls.
Main Results:
- AD subjects had significantly higher mean titres of antithyroglobulin (TgAb).
- AD subjects also showed significantly higher mean titres of antimicrosomial (MCSAb) autoantibodies compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- A significant association exists between Alzheimer's Disease and elevated antithyroid antibodies.
- Further research is needed to understand the physiopathological relationship between autoimmunity and AD.