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Differences in carotenoid content of normal elderly and Alzheimerˈs brains
Author(s) -
Craft Neal E.,
Gierhart Dennis,
Dorey C. Kathy
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.39.1
Subject(s) - lutein , carotenoid , zeaxanthin , white matter , xanthophyll , human brain , medicine , chemistry , endocrinology , biology , neuroscience , food science , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology
Alzheimerˈs Disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disease that inflicts >4,500,000 US elderly. Antioxidants, such as carotenoids, have been implicated in the prevention of degenerative diseases and recent data correlates blood and macular carotenoid levels with cognition. Purpose To measure and compare the major carotenoids in normal elderly and AD human brain. Methods Samples of normal and AD brain tissue from frontal lobe cortex and occipital cortex were examined. Sections were dissected into gray and white matter, extracted with organic solvents, and analyzed by HPLC. Results At least 16 carotenoids, 3 tocopherols, and retinol were present in human brain. Xanthophylls accounted for >70% of carotenoids in the brain. Mean concentrations of carotenoids ranged from 3.5–15.3 pmol/g. Combining all brains, lutein (LUT, P<0.001) and zeaxanthin (ZX, P<0.02) were higher in gray vs white matter. ZX and LUT were lower in AD brain (P<0.002, P<0.04, respectively). Healthy brain had 2× more ZX and 30% more LUT than AD brain. Retinol and α‐tocopherol were lower in AD brain, (p<0.002, P<0.006). Conclusions AD status is negatively correlated with levels of ZX, LUT, vitamins A and E in specific brain tissue.