Increased apolipoprotein B serum concentration in Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the lipoprotein profile in a group of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients with AD and 32 elderly controls were evaluated. Fasting blood samples were obtained for determination of total VLDL, HDL and LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein B.

RESULTS

Significantly higher levels of apolipoprotein B were found in AD patients (P = 0.004), whereas the concentration of lipoprotein (a) and plasma lipids was not statistically different. Apo B levels were similar between AD patients with or without leukoaraiosis on CT scan.

CONCLUSIONS

AD patients had high serum concentration of apolipoprotein B. This finding suggests that apolipoprotein E may not be the single factor in lipid metabolism to play a role in AD pathogenesis.