CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID LEVELS OF ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL (VITAMIN-E) IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

We compared CSF and serum levels, and the CSF/serum ratio of alpha-toc opherol (vitamin E), measured by HPLC, in 44 apparently well-nourished patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 37 matched controls. CSF a nd serum vitamin E levels were correlated, both in AD patients and in controls. The mean CSF and serum vitamin E levels were significantly l ower in AD patients, and the CSF/serum ratio of AD patients did not di ffer significantly between the 2 study groups. CSF vitamin E levels di d not correlate with age, age at onset, duration of the disease and sc ore of the Minimental State Examination in the AD group. Weight and bo dy mass index were significantly lower in AD patients than in controls . These results suggest that low CSF and serum vitamin E concentration s in AD patients could be related with a deficiency of dietary intake of vitamin E.