Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-5-2006
Publication Title
Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology
Abstract
Mechanisms that cause Alzheimer's disease (AD), an invariably fatal neurodegenerative disease, are unknown. Important recent data indicate that neuronal heme deficiency may contribute to AD pathogenesis. If true, factors that contribute to the intracellular heme deficiency could potentially alter the course of AD. The porphyrias are metabolic disorders characterized by enzyme deficiencies in the heme biosynthetic pathway. We hypothesize that AD may differ significantly in individuals possessing the genetic trait for an acute hepatic porphyria. We elaborate on this hypothesis and briefly review the characteristics of the acute hepatic porphyrias that may be relevant to AD. We note the proximity of genes encoding enzymes of the heme biosynthesis pathway to genetic loci linked to sporadic, late-onset AD. In addition, we suggest that identification of individuals carrying the genetic trait for acute porphyria may provide a unique resource for investigating AD pathogenesis and inform treatment and management decisions.
DOI
10.1155/JBB/2006/24038
Dartmouth Digital Commons Citation
Dwyer, Barney E.; Stone, Meghan L.; Zhu, Xiongwei; Perry, George; and Smith, Mark A., "Heme Deficiency in Alzheimer's Disease: A Possible Connection to Porphyria" (2006). Dartmouth Scholarship. 1129.
https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/facoa/1129
Included in
Medical Biotechnology Commons, Medical Neurobiology Commons, Nervous System Diseases Commons
