The probable auto-antigenic role of lipids (anti-ganglioside antibodies) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

We examined the sera of 103 demented patients of a mean age of 75 years and 60 age-matched healthy individuals, using ELISA, to investigate the levels of IgM antibodies against GM1, GD1b, and GQ1b gangliosides and their possible correlation with clinical parameters (age, severity, and type of dementia). All the individuals that demonstrated positive titers of anti-ganglioside antibodies were demented patients whereas normal controls showed borderline or negative values. Significant correlation was revealed between IgM anti-GM1 and both the age of the patients and the severity of dementia.

Antibodies against GM1 in demented patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of anti-GM1 in demented patients, correlating them with the type and severity of dementia as well as with the eventually coexistent polyneuropathy. Anti-GM1 concentrations were measured in the sera of 33 demented patients with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2.7 (the mean age was 69.

Apolipoprotein E phenotype in demented patients in Greek population.

Apolipoprotein E is a plasma protein, involved in the transport of lipids and their metabolism. The aim of this investigation was to correlate the ApoE phenotypes with the type and the severity of dementia in Greek demented patients. The investigation revealed that 72% of the patients have the E3/3 phenotype, but only 11% of them demonstrated the E3/2; 13% of the patients have the E4/3 phenotype and only 4% of them demonstrated the phenotype E4/4.