CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID FERRITIN LEVELS OF PATIENTS WITH PARKINSONS-DISEASE, ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE, AND MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY

Iron is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of both Parkinson' s disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We measured ferritin, whi ch is considered to be the iron storage protein, in CSF of patients wi th PD, AD, and multiple system atrophy (MSA) as well as control subjec ts. We found a significant increase in CSF ferritin in AD compared wit h both PD and age-matched controls. No significant differences were fo und between PD patients with dementia (PDD) and non-demented PD patien ts. For non-demented PD patients a positive correlation between CSF fe rritin and age was found. Our results may indicate that iron has a rol e in the pathophysiology of AD.