Aluminium and Alzheimer's disease: is there a causal connection?

At the present time there seems to be sufficient evidence to conclude that aluminium may, at least under some circumstances, be neurotoxic. Furthermore, several studies have found increased amounts of aluminium in specific brain structures of people who have died with Alzheimer's disease. From the available evidence it is not possible, however, to draw any firm conclusions regarding the possible role of aluminium in the aetiology or pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.Even though there is some evidence from ecological studies that exposure to aluminium at least from drinking water may be causally linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease, it is still entirely possible that the accumulation of aluminium in the brains of people with this disorder is a secondary phenomenon. There is a lack of data relating individual exposure to aluminium with subsequent risk of developing the disease.A case-control study currently being carried out in Norway will seek to collect individual exposure data with particular emphasis on aluminium exposure from drinking water sources. The design of this study is presented.