Chapter 25 Aluminum: a role in degenerative brain disease associated with neurofibrillary degeneration

Abstract

Publisher Summary A number of independent studies have demonstrated aluminum to occur in high concentration in the presence of neurofibrillary degeneration of the Alzheimer type. Several observations suggest that environmental factors may contribute to the degenerative process. Head injury has been implicated as a risk factor for Alzheimer disease and a factor in the neurofibrillary associated condition, dementia pugilistica. Alzheimer type neurofibrillary degeneration may also occur in a number of other diseases, many of which are related to environmental or infectious agents. The strongest evidence in support of an environmental factor in the pathogenesis of neurofibrillary diseases arises from the epidemiological studies of Guam parkinsonism–dementia complex /amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PD/ALS) syndromes. Aluminum is a highly reactive trivalent cation existing in a number of hydrated species and organic and inorganic complexes. The consideration of atomic properties and metal ion solution chemistry led scientists to classify aluminum and calcium in the same category. These ions prefer similar ligands and are oxygen-seeking. The weight of evidence indicating that aluminum influences both genetic and cytoplasmic processes strengthens the hypothesis that aluminum may be actively involved in the promotion of neurofibrillary degeneration in human diseases.