PMID- 12897404
OWN - NLM
STAT- MEDLINE
DCOM- 20031106
LR  - 20191107
IS  - 1387-2877 (Print)
IS  - 1387-2877 (Linking)
VI  - 5
IP  - 3
DP  - 2003 Jun
TI  - Apolipoprotein E genotyping as a potential biomarker for mercury neurotoxicity.
PG  - 189-95
AB  - Apolipoprotein-E (apo-E) genotyping has been investigated as an indicator of 
      susceptibility to heavy metal (i.e., lead) neurotoxicity. Moreover, the apo-E 
      epsilon (epsilon)4 allele is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative 
      conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). A theoretical biochemical basis 
      for this risk factor is discussed herein, supported by data from 400 patients 
      with presumptive mercury-related neuro-psychiatric symptoms and in whom apo-E 
      determinations were made. A statistically relevant shift toward the at-risk apo-E 
      epsilon4 groups was found in the patients p<0.001). The patients possessed a mean 
      of 13.7 dental amalgam fillings and 31.5 amalgam surfaces. This far exceeds the 
      number capable of producing the maximum identified tolerable daily intake of 
      mercury from amalgam. The clinical diagnosis and proof of chronic low-level 
      mercury toxicity has been difficult due to the non-specific nature of the 
      symptoms and signs. Dental amalgam is the greatest source of mercury in the 
      general population and brain, blood and urine mercury levels increase 
      correspondingly with the number of amalgams and amalgam surfaces in the mouth. 
      Confirmation of an elevated body burden of mercury can be made by measuring 
      urinary mercury, after provocation with 2,3,-dimercapto-propane sulfonate (DMPS) 
      and this was measured in 150 patients. Apo-E genotyping warrants investigation as 
      a clinically useful biomarker for those at increased risk of neuropathology, 
      including AD, when subjected to long-term mercury exposures. Additionally, when 
      clinical findings suggest adverse effects of chronic mercury exposure, a DMPS 
      urine mercury challenge appears to be a simple, inexpensive procedure that 
      provides objective confirmatory evidence. An opportunity could now exist for 
      primary health practitioners to help identify those at greater risk and possibly 
      forestall subsequent neurological deterioration.
FAU - Godfrey, Michael E
AU  - Godfrey ME
AD  - Bay of Plenty Environmental Health Clinic, Tauranga, New Zealand. 
      godfrey@wave.co.nz
FAU - Wojcik, Damian P
AU  - Wojcik DP
FAU - Krone, Cheryl A
AU  - Krone CA
LA  - eng
PT  - Journal Article
PL  - Netherlands
TA  - J Alzheimers Dis
JT  - Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD
JID - 9814863
RN  - 0 (Apolipoproteins E)
RN  - 0 (Genetic Markers)
RN  - 8049-85-2 (Dental Amalgam)
SB  - IM
MH  - Adult
MH  - Aged
MH  - Aged, 80 and over
MH  - Alleles
MH  - Alzheimer Disease/etiology
MH  - Apolipoproteins E/*genetics
MH  - Dental Amalgam/adverse effects
MH  - Female
MH  - Genetic Markers
MH  - Genetic Predisposition to Disease
MH  - Genotype
MH  - Humans
MH  - Male
MH  - Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System/complications/epidemiology/*genetics
MH  - Middle Aged
MH  - Surveys and Questionnaires
MH  - Time
EDAT- 2003/08/05 05:00
MHDA- 2003/11/07 05:00
CRDT- 2003/08/05 05:00
PHST- 2003/08/05 05:00 [pubmed]
PHST- 2003/11/07 05:00 [medline]
PHST- 2003/08/05 05:00 [entrez]
AID - 10.3233/jad-2003-5303 [doi]
PST - ppublish
SO  - J Alzheimers Dis. 2003 Jun;5(3):189-95. doi: 10.3233/jad-2003-5303.