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Copper and Alzheimer’s Disease

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Neurotoxicity of Metals

Part of the book series: Advances in Neurobiology ((NEUROBIOL,volume 18))

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of adult neurode-generation and is characterised by progressive loss of cognitive function leading to death. The neuropathological hallmarks include extracellular amyloid plaque accumulation in affected regions of the brain, formation of intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles, chronic neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and abnormal biometal homeostasis. Of the latter, major changes in copper (Cu) levels and localisation have been identified in AD brain, with accumulation of Cu in amyloid deposits, together with deficiency of Cu in some brain regions. The amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide both have Cu binding sites, and interaction with Cu can lead to potentially neurotoxic outcomes through generation of reactive oxygen species. In addition, AD patients have systemic changes to Cu metabolism, and altered Cu may also affect neuroinflammatory outcomes in AD. Although we still have much to learn about Cu homeostasis in AD patients and its role in disease aetiopathology, therapeutic approaches for regulating Cu levels and interactions with Cu-binding proteins in the brain are currently being developed. This review will examine how Cu is associated with pathological changes in the AD brain and how these may be targeted for therapeutic intervention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Zoe K. Mathys & Anthony R. White Ph.D.

  2. Cell and Molecular Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia

    Anthony R. White Ph.D.

  3. Royal Brisbane Hospital, Locked Bag 2000, Herston, QLD, 4029, Australia

    Anthony R. White Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Zoe K. Mathys
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  2. Anthony R. White Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Anthony R. White Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA

    Michael Aschner

  2. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Lucio G. Costa

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Mathys, Z.K., White, A.R. (2017). Copper and Alzheimer’s Disease. In: Aschner, M., Costa, L. (eds) Neurotoxicity of Metals. Advances in Neurobiology, vol 18. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60189-2_10

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