An immunological approach to dementia in the elderly.

A study into the relationship of immune change in the serum and the presence of senile dementia is reported. Three groups were studied, senile dementia, cerebrovascular disease and subjects without evidence of brain disease. All were aged 65 years and over. The immunofluorescent studies showed an excess of antineuronal reactivity and a fall in antinuclear antibody in females with senile dementia. There was no significant difference between the groups in respect of immunoglobulins, slide latex and a complement fixation test, against a variety of tissues. The significance of the findings in relation to other published results is discussed.