EVIDENCE OF AN OXIDATIVE CHALLENGE IN THE ALZHEIMERS BRAIN

Alzheimer's disease may arise from or produce oxidative damage in the brain. To assess the responses of the Alzheimer's brain to possible ox idative challenges, we assayed for glutathione, glucose-6-phosphate de hydrogenase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in twelve regions of Al zheimer's disease and aged control brains. In addition, we determined levels of malondialdehyde to evaluate lipid peroxidation in these brai n regions. Most brain regions showed evidence of a response to an oxid ative challenge, but the cellular response to this challenge differed among brain regions. These data suggest that the entire Alzheimer's br ain may be subject to an oxidative challenge, but that some brain area s may be more vulnerable than others to the consequent neural damage t hat characterizes the disease.