EPIC-Potsdam sub-cohort study: The early role of trace elements, oxidative stress, and anthropometrics in Alzheimer's disease and dementia onset

BackgroundSerum trace elements, anthropometric data, and oxidative stress markers are often altered in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other types of dementia (OTD). However, these parameters are rarely examined together before disease onset in a single study population.ObjectiveThis nested case-control study aims to investigate anthropometric data, serum trace elements, exchangeable copper (CuEXC), and oxidative stress markers to identify early associations with the risk of AD or OTD.MethodsFrom the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Potsdam cohort (DRKS-ID: DRKS00020593), the High Fat Diet, Microbiota, and Neuroinflammation in the Progression of Alzheimer study was generated. One hundred twenty-eight individuals who developed AD or OTD were identified, approximately 15.7 years after baseline data collection, and matched for age, sex, fasting status, and season of blood sampling with 512 controls. Serum levels of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), iodine (I), CuEXC, and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) were analyzed.ResultsCases and non-cases did not differ in anthropometric data or oxidative stress markers. Female cases exhibited a trend of elevated serum Cu and CuEXC levels compared to female non-cases. A higher Se/Cu ratio suggested an inverse association (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.56-0.92), while an increased Cu/Zn ratio was positively associated (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1-4.1) with AD or OTD incidence.ConclusionsRatios of serum trace elements, rather than individual levels, show early associations with the risk of AD or OTD while anthropometric and oxidative stress markers did not.