ELEVATED 4-HYDROXYNONENAL IN VENTRICULAR FLUID IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), an aldehyde by-product of the peroxidation o f fatty acids, has been shown to have toxic properties for neurons in culture. In light of increasing evidence that oxidative stress contrib utes to the neurodegenerative process in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we quantified levels of free and protein-bound 4-HNE in the ventricular f luid from 19 AD subjects and 13 control subjects by high-pressure liqu id chromotography and dot-blot immunoassay. Free 4-HNE levels were fou nd to be significantly elevated in the ventricular fluid of AD subject s compared with control subjects (p = 0.0096). These results demonstra te increased lipid peroxidation in AD brain and suggest a role for 4-H NE in the neurodegenerative process. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.