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Free copper crosses the blood-brain barrier and may promote oxidative stress. The authors of the current study previously reported that plasma free-copper levels correlated with the typical deficits of Alzheimer disease (AD) and with disease markers (e.g., Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] score and CSF β-amyloid level). Now, they have aimed to assess whether free-copper levels predict cognitive decline. They measured free and bound copper levels at baseline in 81 patients with mild-to-moderate AD. Participants completed the MMSE at baseline and 1 year later.
Patients with higher free copper levels at baseline had greater declines in MMSE scores than those with lower levels. The authors report that cognitive impairment seemed more common …