Increased apolipoprotein B serum concentration in Alzheimer's disease

Objective - To investigate the lipoprotein profile in a group of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Patients and 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 Al 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. Conclusion - 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.