Elevated plasma neopterin levels in Alzheimer disease

We assessed plasma neopterin level as a marker of inflammation in Alzheimer disease (AD). Plasma neopterin levels were higher in 51 patients with AD ( 9.3 +/- 5.9 ng/mL) than in 38 age-matched control subjects (6.3 +/- 2.6 ng/ ml, p = 0.002). There was no correlation between neopterin levels and Mini- Mental State Examination score or duration of disease; there was a weak ass ociation between neopterin level and age (r = 0.26, p = 0.02). Although mea surement of plasma neopterin levels is not useful for diagnosis, this assay may provide guidance for the development of anti-inflammatory treatment st rategies for AD.