Zinc deficiency in alzheimer’s disease: a cross-sectional study with a control group

Abstract

Objective To identify whether there is a difference in plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentration in older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease. Methods Crosssectional study with a comparative group, conducted with older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease, matched by sex, education, and age. Zinc concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in a graphite furnace. Results There were 102 people, 68 in the healthy group (NDA-g) and 34 in the group with disease (AD-g). The AD-g group had lower plasma zinc concentrations and higher frequency in the first quartile for intraerythrocyte zinc concentrations. Plasma and erythrocyte concentrations did not correlate with the time of diagnosis and age in both groups. In the logistic regression analysis, plasma concentration was associated with AD-g (OR=0.964; p=0.028). Conclusion Older people with Alzheimer's disease have lower plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations.