This exploratory study measured plasma metals in 40 adults grouped as controls, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer’s disease. Plasma gallium did not differ significantly across those groups. The paper’s cognitive findings concern other elements.
Key numbers
- Plasma gallium, median (1st quartile, 3rd quartile), µg/L (Table 2): control 0.071 (0.047, 0.095), n = 9; amnestic mild cognitive impairment 0.059 (0.024, 0.071), n = 23; Alzheimer’s disease 0.036 (0.035, 0.036), n = 8.
- Age-adjusted P values: trend 0.102, impairment vs control 0.173, Alzheimer’s disease vs control 0.248 (Table 2).
- Patients were older than controls (79.5 ± 8.1 vs 67.0 ± 6.3 years). The footnote states that values are medians with quartiles and that the marked tests were adjusted for age.
Methods (brief)
Plasma (100 µL) was diluted 1:50 and analyzed on an Agilent 7800 ICP-MS. Group comparisons and partial correlations adjusted for age, and some models also for education and body mass index.
Evidence fitness
Supports plasma gallium medians in this small clinical sample and the absence of a significant group difference. Does not support a causal link with cognition, and does not identify a food or water source.
Limitations
Forty people, with eight in the Alzheimer’s group, whose quartile range is very narrow. One blood draw. Controls were younger than patients.
Related evidence
Update history
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