Erythrocyte membrane changes of individuals with Down's syndrome in various stages of Alzheimer-type dementia.

An increase in erythrocyte-bound IgG, enhanced breakdown of band 3, and changes in erythrocyte anion transport characteristics are observed in individuals with Down's Syndrome. We interpret these data as indicative for a disturbance of normal erythrocyte aging. A comparison of three groups of individuals with Down's Syndrome in various stages of dementia of the Alzheimer type did not reveal a correlation between the erythrocyte membrane changes and age or stage of dementia. Considering previously obtained data on patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (7), these results may signify that parameters of disturbed erythrocyte aging represent presymptomatic markers of Alzheimer-type dementia.