Cytologic and cytometric analysis of oral mucosa in Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: To analyze cytomorphologically the buccal mucosa of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Study Design: Brush biopsies were obtained from 10 patients with AD and 9 age-matched controls without neurologic symptoms from 3 distinct oral sites.

Results: A significant reduction in partially keratinized intermediate (red) cells was observed in the buccal mucosa of the AD group.