STUDIES OF ALUMINUM AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

Using scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with x-ray spectrometry, the author has identified abnormal accumulations of aluminum within neurons derived from Alzheimer's disease patients containing neurofibrillary tangles. Similar aluminum accumulations are detected in the numerous neurofibrillary tangle-bearing neurons seen in the brains of the indigenous native population of the island of Guam who suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism with dementia. These studies demonstrate that an association exists between intraneuronal aluminum accumulation and neurofibrillary tangle formation and suggests, but does not confirm, a possible etiologic and/or pathogenic role for aluminum in neurofibrillary tangle related diseases.