Cytogenetic Investigations from Lymphocyte Cultures of Patients with Probable Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Chromosome investigations were carried out on lymphocyte cultures of 21 patients with probable Alzheimer''s disease in comparison to an age-matched control group of 11 healthy subjects. Different cytogenetic parameters were analyzed: sister chromatid exchanges, polyploid mitoses, mitotic activity and secondary chromosomal aberrations such as gaps, breaks and exchanges. Only the average rate of sister chromatic exchanges was slightly decreased in patients (8.4 ± 1.7; control group: 10.4 ± 2.1). There were interindividual differences of values for each of the cytogenetic parameters analyzed, but these were not related to the onset, duration or severity of dementia.

Mitotic index in down's syndrome with and without dementia

“…It should be mentioned that a previous report found no differences in MI when short‐term lymphocyte cultures were studied in specimens from AD and controls [Hugel and Mielkel, 1994], although Gibson et al [1987] noted reduced calcium uptake in AD mitogen‐stimulated lymphocytes vs. controls, and we have since confirmed reduced MIs in skin fibroblast cultures from an additional ten individuals with AD (data available but not shown). The reason for this variability in MI correlation is unknown, but it may be related to variations in cell culture conditions from laboratory to laboratory.…”