Reduced Phosphoinositide Concentrations in Anterior Temporal Cortex of Alzheimer-Diseased Brains

Samples of brain anterior temporal cortex from 17 patients with Alzheimer's disease and 18 age-matched controls have been analysed for myo-inositol and the three phosphoinositides. There was significantly less phosphatidylinositol in the Alzheimer samples (1.36 mumol/g wet weight) than in the controls (2.28 mumol/g). The concentrations of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate were also lower in Alzheimer cortex, but differences from the control group were not statistically significant. Free myo-inositol concentrations were 5.11 mumol/g (Alzheimer) and 4.44 mumol/g (control) and again the difference was not significant. The lack of phosphoinositides in Alzheimer temporal cortex may impair receptor function.     

Biorhythms and tests of oral skills

The null hypothesis that there is no difference in an individuaľs level of skill on critical and non-critical days of the biorhythm cycle is tested over a 2-week period using oral stereognosis and a dysarthria assessment. No statistical evidence could be found to refute the null hypothesis proposed and it is concluded that there is no relationship between oral skills and stages of the biorhythm cycle.