Introduction Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex and progressive neurodegenerative disorder with unclear aetiology. Cognitive impairment and the behavioral disturbances in patients with AD might be associated with altered serotonergic system. Objectives Platelet serotonin (5-HT) levels and platelet monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) activity might be the biological markers for the progress of AD. Aims To determine platelet 5-HT concentrations and MAO-B activity in female patients with mild, moderate or severe stage of AD and sex and age matched healthy controls. Methods The study included 106 female patients with the diagnosis of probable AD (DSM-IV-TR and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria), subdivided according to the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score in early (MMSE 19-24), middle (MMSE 10-18) and late (MMSE 0-9) phase of AD. Control group consisted of 102 healthy elderly women (MMSE >25). Platelet 5-HT concentrations and MAO-B activity were determined using spectrofluorimetric methods. Results Platelet 5-HT concentrations and MAO-B activity were similar between all patients with AD and healthy controls. Patients in the late phase of AD had significantly (p<0.05) lower platelet 5-HT concentrations and MAO-B activity than patients in other phases of AD and healthy controls. The significant correlations were found between MMSE scores and platelet 5-HT concentrations, MAO-B activity and age. Conclusion The results suggest that platelet 5-HT concentration and MAO-B activity might be the peripheral biological markers for the severity and/or clinical progress of AD.

Temeljne medicinske znanosti,Kliničke medicinske znanosti