T. Wetterling et Kf. Tegtmeyer, SERUM ALPHA(1)-ANTITRYPSIN AND ALPHA(2)-MACROGLOBULIN IN ALZHEIMERS AND BINSWANGERS-DISEASE, The Clinical investigator, 72(3), 1994, pp. 196-199
The deposition of beta(A4)-amyloid in senile plaques and small cerebra
l vessels is one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease.
Recent data suggest that protease inhibitors such as alpha(2)-macrogl
obulin may be involved in the process of forming beta(A4) amyloid depo
sits. Compared to 34 persons without neurological diseases, the serum
content of alpha(1)-antitrypsin was increased in 16 patients with Alzh
eimer's disease and 15 with Binswanger's disease. In the latter alpha(
2)-macroglobulin was also elevated in serum. Our results show no evide
nce of a blood-borne origin of the protein or peptid deposited in the
walls of small vessels in Alzheimer's or Binswanger's disease. Neverth
eless, the elevated proteinase inhibitor concentrations may play a rol
e in the pathogenesis of these diseases.