Zinc and Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

The maintenance of normal zinc levels is crucial to a variety of cellular functions, with zinc also shown to be a key mediator of a number of central and peripheral disorders. Within the brain, there is now mounting evidence for a pivotal role for zinc dyshomeostasis in the onset and pathological and symptomatic progression of Alzheimer's disease- the most common form of dementia. In this chapter we will discuss the evidence for a disturbance in zinc levels in both the brain and peripheral compartments in Alzheimer's disease. We will further outline the various cellular targets that may be affected by this and how it may contribute to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Finally, we w..