Acute phase reactant alpha 1-antichymotrypsin is increased in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of patients with probable Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 1995 Summer;9(2):112-8. doi: 10.1097/00002093-199509020-00009.

Abstract

Levels of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (alpha 1-ACT) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from patients with probable Alzheimer disease (AD) of both early (e-AD) and late (l-AD) onset assessed by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were higher than those found in controls or in patients with vascular dementia (VD). A negative correlation between CSF levels of alpha 1-ACT and the stage of the disease was present in patients with both e-AD and l-AD. No difference in alpha 2-macroglobulin levels in CSF and serum from patients with e-AD, l-AD, VD, and nondemented controls was found. Serum concentrations of alpha 1-antitrypsin from l-AD subjects were within the normal range. Thus, increased levels of alpha 1-ACT in CSF and serum were specifically associated with AD, and the detection of this serpin in CSF may be useful in monitoring the progression of the disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Alzheimer Disease / classification
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / physiology*
  • Dementia, Vascular / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Dementia, Vascular / classification
  • Dementia, Vascular / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / classification
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values
  • alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin / cerebrospinal fluid*

Substances

  • alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin