[Reassessment of the role of aluminum in the development of Alzheimer's disease].

The pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is related to the alterations in neurotransmission, beta-amyloid production, plaque formation and cytoskeletal abnormalities. The question of aluminium relevance to the etiology of AD cannot yet be adequately answered. Aluminium is currently regarded as the putative risk factor for the disease. Our paper shows that some of pathologic changes are not raised by aluminium alone, but by the aluminofluoride complexes. These complexes may act as the initial signal stimulating impairment of homeostasis, degeneration and death of the cells. By influencing energy metabolism these complexes can accelerate the aging and impair the functions of the nervous system. In respect to the etiology of AD, the long term action of aluminofluoride complexes may represent a serious and powerful risk factor for the development of AD.