Cytochrome oxidase deficiency in Alzheimer's disease

WD Parker Jr, CM Filley, JK Parks - Neurology, 1990 - AAN Enterprises
WD Parker Jr, CM Filley, JK Parks
Neurology, 1990AAN Enterprises
We assayed cytochrome oxidase and other electron transport chain activities in platelet
mitochondria isolated from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Five of 6 patients had
striking reductions of platelet cytochrome oxidase activity (patient mean, 83.72±82.99
nmol/min/mg; control mean, 167.14±36.21 nmol/min/mg; n= 8). Other electron transport
chain catalytic activities were not significantly different than control values. AD may be a
systemic illness, a primary defect in cytochrome oxidase may be pathogenically important in …
We assayed cytochrome oxidase and other electron transport chain activities in platelet mitochondria isolated from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Five of 6 patients had striking reductions of platelet cytochrome oxidase activity (patient mean, 83.72 ± 82.99 nmol/min/mg; control mean, 167.14 ± 36.21 nmol/min/mg; n = 8). Other electron transport chain catalytic activities were not significantly different than control values. AD may be a systemic illness, a primary defect in cytochrome oxidase may be pathogenically important in its production, and the mitochrondrial genes encoding cytochrome oxidase subunits may be important in producing the defect.
American Academy of Neurology