SERUM INTERLEUKIN-6 LEVELS CORRELATE WITH THE SEVERITY OF DEMENTIA INDOWN-SYNDROME AND IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

Introduction - Inflammatory processes are suspected in the pathomechan ism of Alzheimer's dementia (AD) but the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of inflammatory cytokines are not yet determined in the different forms of the disorder. Subjects and methods - Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were examIned in the sera and CSF of patients with mild- moderate and severe stage of late onset sporadic type of AD and in the sera of demented Down syndrome (DS) probands with similar stages of A D and compared with data of age-matched healthy controls Results - Nor mal serum IL-6 levels were found in the mild-moderate stage, but signi ficantly increased levels were found in the severe stage of both demen tia groups. The CSF concentrations remained within the normal range in all groups. Positive correlations between the serum IL-6 levels and a ge and the severity of the disease were present. Conclusion - These fi ndings suggest a disease stage dependent general activation of the imm une system both in sporadic AD and in DS with AD.