Alan J. Blotcky

Brain mercury in neurodegenerative disorders.

BACKGROUND Trace element neurotoxicity has long been invoked as an etiologic factor for Alzheimers disease. This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of mercury in seven different brain regions from deceased patients histologically confirmed with Alzheimers disease or multiple sclerosis as compared to control subjects without known central nervous system and renal disorders. Brain mercury concentrations in all deceased subjects can arise from amalgam restorations, diet, and the working environment. METHODS Autopsy frozen specimens (control, Alzheimers disease and multiple sclerosis) from seven brain regions, which included frontal cortex, temporal cortex, occipital cortex, putamen, hippocampus, corona radiata and corpus callosum were assayed for the concentrations of selenium using instrumental neutron activation analysis and mercury using radiochemical neutron activation analysis. RESULTS We found that the concentrations of mercury and the mercury/selenium molar ratios were significantly lower in the hippocampi of multiple sclerosis patients as compared to aged-matched controls. However, no statistically significant differences were detected for the concentrations of mercury and the mercury/ selenium molar ratios for the remaining six brain regions among these groups. CONCLUSIONS Since brain mercury concentrations from deceased subjects with either Alzheimers disease or multiple sclerosis are not significantly higher than controls, the present study provides no scientific support that mercury plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of these neurologic disorders.

Determination of blood mercury concentrations in Alzheimer's patients

Trace element neurotoxicity can be an etiologic factor for Alzheimers disease. This cross sectional clinical study determined blood mercury in patients with diagnosed Alzheimers disease as compared to control subjects without known central nervous system and renal disorders. Unique within the confines of a nursing home, all subjects were exposed to the same environment and consumed a diet without fish and seafood for a period of three months prior to the study. The results of this study show that blood mercury concentrations detected in subjects with Alzheimers disease were not statistically different than that of control subjects. Ratios of blood mercury to blood selenium were also determined and no statistical difference was found between these two groups.

Alteration of tissue vanadium content in diabetes

A great deal of interest in the element vanadium has been generated recently because of its potential as a therapeutic agent for diabetes mellitus. Vanadiums insulin-mimetic properties and its requirement for proper growth and development suggest that it may be involved in insulins mechanism of action. We have therefore examined vanadium levels in kidney, muscle, and liver tissues from normal and diabetic BB Wistar rats. Our results indicate that diabetes mellitus can decrease the tissue vanadium content of liver, suggesting that the trace element vanadium may be important in insulin action.