Neurotoxicity dialysis dementia

The neurotoxic effects of aluminum were first observed in people undergoing dialysis for treatment of kidney failure. This syndrome, called dialysis dementia, starts with speech disorders and progresses to dementia and convulsions. Symptoms corresponded with elevated aluminum levels commonly found in bone, brain, and muscle following 3 to 7 years of treatment. Elevated levels of aluminum were also found in the brains of people suffering from Alzheimer s disease. Despite considerable research, it is not clear if the aluminum accumulation in the brain is a cause of Alzheimer s disease or a result of changes in the brain associated with the disease. 

Rozas VV, Port FK, Easterling RE An outbreak of dialysis dementia due to aluminum in the dialysate. Journal of Dialysis 2 459-470, 1978a Rozas W, Port FK, Rutt WM Progressive dialysis encephalopathy from dialysate aluminum. Arch Intern Med 138 1375-1377, 1978b Scherp HW, Church CF Neurotoxic action of aluminum salts. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 36 851-853, 1937... 

Little information was available on aluminum neurotoxicity prior to the 1960s. Interest in aluminum has increased recently, particularly with the possibility of its involvement in the human diseases, Alzheimer s disease, and dialysis dementia (discussed below). 

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