CONTENT AND FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF CARDIOLIPIN IN THE BRAIN OF PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

The frontal, temporal and occipital cortex front human brains affected by Alzheimer's disease were analyzed for their contents and fatty aci d compositions of cardiolipin. Phospholipids were purified using an HP LC system and cardiolipin was found to be present in the same amount ( on a protein basis) as in age-matched controls. One-third of the total fatty acyl moieties of this phospholipid were saturated, one-third mo nounsaturated and one-third polyunsaturated. In affected brain regions the levels of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids displayed moderate decreases, not exceeding 10-15%. However, the total amount of polyunsa turated fatty acids decreased by only 9%. These results demonstrate th at the amount and structure of brain cardiolipin are not modified to a ny great extent in connection with Alzheimer's disease.