Alzheimer's disease: Patients exhibit changes in certain blood lipids that mimic accelerated aging
What is it about?
Certain lipids (choline phospholipids) were examined in plasma samples of 174 participants of the "Vienna Transdanube Aging Study" (VITA study) during a period of 7.5 years starting at the age of 75 years. Some of the volunteers, who were still healthy at the start of the study, developed Alzheimer's disease in the course of the study. Blood analyses at the start and end of the study allowed a detailed investigation of changes in plasma levels of lipids during normal ageing and at onset of Alzheimer's disease. The lipid analyses, which were conducted in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, USA), showed a characteristic change in plasma levels of choline phospholipids even in the healthy ageing process. Interestingly, the same changes in choline phospholipid levels were found in the subjects suffering from Alzheimer's disease but these were much more marked. Based on the analysis, Alzheimer's disease can be characterised as a strongly accelerated form of normal ageing, at least in terms of the lipids that were investigated.
Why is it important?
When considering lipids as potential biomarkers, the age of patients must be carefully considered.