Gjcgm. Bosman et al., ERYTHROCYTE-MEMBRANE CHANGES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWNS-SYNDROME IN VARIOUS STAGES OF ALZHEIMER-TYPE DEMENTIA, Neurobiology of aging, 14(3), 1993, pp. 223-228
An increase in erythrocyte-bound IgG, enhanced breakdown of band 3, an
d changes in erythrocyte anion transport characteristics are observed
in individuals with Down's Syndrome. We interpret these data as indica
tive for a disturbance of normal erythrocyte aging. A comparison of th
ree groups of individuals with Down's Syndrome in various stages of de
mentia of the Alzheimer type did not reveal a correlation between the
erythrocyte membrane changes and age or stage of dementia. Considering
previously obtained data on patients with senile dementia of the Alzh
eimer type (7), these results may signify that parameters of disturbed
erythrocyte aging represent presymptomatic markers of Alzheimer-type
dementia.