Systemic Tocopherols and F-2-Isoprostanes and the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: A Prospective Population-Based Study

Oxidative stress in the brain is suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, serum alpha- and gamma-tocopherol, the two major systemic antioxidants, were analyzed at two examinations of the ULSAM-study, a longitudinal, community-based study of elderly men (age 70, n = 616 and age 77, n = 761). In addition, urinary F-2-isoprostane levels, as markers of systemic oxidative stress, were analyzed at the age of 77 in this cohort (n = 679). Cox regression analyses were used to examine associations between serum alpha-, gamma-tocopherol and urinary F-2-isoprostane levels and AD, any type of dementia (all-cause dementia) and non-AD dementia. On follow-up (median, 12.3 years), 40 subjects developed AD and 86 subjects developed all-cause dementia. Serum alpha- and gamma-tocopherol or urinary F-2-isoprostane levels were not associated with the future risk of AD or dementia. In conclusion, systemic serum alpha- and gamma-tocopherol and urinary F-2-isoprostane levels are not associated with the future risk of AD or dementia and do not seem to be useful predictors of clinical AD or dementia.