Aluminium in human brain tissue: how much is too much?

J Biol Inorg Chem. 2019 Dec;24(8):1279-1282. doi: 10.1007/s00775-019-01710-0. Epub 2019 Aug 29.

Abstract

A burgeoning body of research confirms and affirms the presence of aluminium in human brain tissue. Recently, the first data on aluminium content of brain tissue from donors with diagnoses of familial Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy have been published. Quantitative data are supported by aluminium-specific fluorescence microscopy identifying the locations of aluminium in human brain tissue. The challenge in the future will be to confirm or refute the role played by brain aluminium intoxication in human neurodegenerative disease.

Keywords: Aluminium in brain tissue; Aluminium-specific fluorescence microscopy; Alzheimer’s disease; Autism; Epilepsy; Multiple sclerosis; Neurodegenerative disease.

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum / analysis*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / metabolism
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / pathology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Chemistry*
  • Epilepsy / metabolism
  • Epilepsy / pathology
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis / metabolism
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology

Substances

  • Aluminum