A study of serum copper and ceruloplasmin in Alzheimer’s disease in Kerman, Iran

Background and objective: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common and important degenerative brain disease. The cause of AD is unknown and there are several theories including the possible role of trace elements such as copper and the related oxidative stress. The main transporter of copper, α2-globulin ceruloplasmin, is a multifunctional enzyme. Increased brain metal levels are associated with normal aging and a variety of degenerative diseases including AD. Copper and iron levels both show marked increase with age and may lead to the production of neurotoxic hydrogen peroxidase (