Aluminum (Al) is a trivalent cation that does not undergo redox change and it may cause a variety of neurological disorders. In this review, we discuss evidence for a significant role of aluminum in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Al has been implicated as a potential risk factor in AD and for elderly cognitive impairment by epidemiological studies of drinking water, food, medicine as well as natural resources. Neurotoxicity from excess brain exposure to aluminum is documented from both clinical observations and animal experiments. The pathology of Alzheimer's disease is related to the alteration in neurotransmission, beta amyloid production, plaques formation and cytoskeletal abnormalities. The exact mechanism of Al toxicity is still unclear; however accumulating evidences suggested that Al could potentiate oxidative and inflammatory events leading to tissue damage. In conclusion it is proposed that a combination of anticholinergic drugs and micronutrients including antioxidants may be more effective than the individual agents in prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

doi: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.2006.130104