Distribution of Lymphocytes in Persons with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) as Compared to Age Matched Nondemented (ND) Control Subjects

Persons with Alzheimer's disease have been noted to have an increased number of infections and a possible change in immune system function has been suggested. This study analyzed immune cell subtypes in persons with Alzheimer's disease compared to age matched nondemented controls. We analyzed the number and proportion of total T cells (CD3), T helper cells (CD4), T suppressor cells (CD8), B cells (CD19), and Natural Killer cells (CD56) in the peripheral blood of eleven patients with Alzheimer's dementia and six controls. A statistically significant decrease in the number of B cells (CD19) was identified in persons with Alzheimer's disease.