Aluminium,
an environmentally abundant non-redox trivalent cation has long been
implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the
definite mechanism of aluminium toxicity in AD is not known. Evidence
suggests that trace metal homeostasis plays a crucial role in the normal
functioning of the brain, and any disturbance in it can exacerbate
events associated with AD. The present paper reviews the scientific
literature linking aluminium with AD. The focus is on aluminium levels
in brain, region-specific and subcellular distribution, its relation to
neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid beta, and other metals. A detailed
mechanism of the role of aluminium in oxidative stress and cell death is
highlighted. The importance of complex speciation chemistry of
aluminium in relation to biology has been emphasized. The debatable role
of aluminium in AD and the cross-talk between aluminium and genetic
susceptibilityare also discussed. Finally, it is concluded based on
extensive literature that the neurotoxic effects of aluminium are beyond
any doubt, and aluminium as a factor in AD cannot be discarded.
However, whether aluminium is a sole factor in AD and whether it is a
factor in all AD cases still needs to be understood.