September 2, 2003

Association of Copper with Alzheimer's Disease
Statement of the International Copper Association

September 2, 2003 - Scores of laboratories and thousands of researchers around the world are pursuing the cause(s), relief of symptoms, and possible cures for human Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Hundreds of research papers are published each year in peer-reviewed science journals, but as yet no effective cure, or prevention of the disease has been proven. The defective gene or genes responsible for AD have not been identified. The role of copper, if any, with respect to this disease is unknown.

Based on the current weight of scientific evidence, it is not clear whether the presence of copper in the brain is influencing the progression of AD, or is acting as a protective substance.

For more information, visit websites of the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org), the World Health Organization (www.inchem.org), and the National Institute on Aging (health.nih.gov). Contact Adinfo@copper.org for an additional bibliography of current studies.

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