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Involvement of free radicals in dementia of the Alzheimer type: a hypothesis
Volicer L, Crino PB.. Neurobiology of aging, 1990-09-01
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
We propose that increased formation of oxygen-derived free radicals, such as the superoxide and hydroxyl species, may be responsible for progressive neural degeneration in dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Several processes increase free radical formation and some of them (e.g., brain trauma, aging) are risk factors for DAT. There is some evidence for increased free radical formation in Down's syndrome which is associated with development of DAT pathology. Free radicals alone may induce cell death by damaging lipids or proteins while reactions between free radicals and neurotransmitters may lead to formation of endogenous neurotoxin(s). Recently, we have demonstrated that partial oxidation of serotonin by exposure to hydroxyl radicals results in formation of a novel neurotoxin, tryptamine-4,5-dione. Elucidation of the role of free radicals in DAT could open new avenues to prevention and treatment of this disease.
Key findings
- There is some evidence for increased free radical formation in Down's syndrome which is associated with development of DAT pathology.
- Recently, we have demonstrated that partial oxidation of serotonin by exposure to hydroxyl radicals results in formation of a novel neurotoxin, tryptamine-4,5-dione.
Why it matters
This paper proposes a hypothesis that increased formation of oxygen-derived free radicals may cause progressive nerve degeneration in Alzheimer's disease. It is a hypothesis based on laboratory observations, not a tested treatment, and the authors say clarifying the role of free radicals could open new avenues for prevention and treatment.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 41/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Neurobiology of aging) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Neurobiology of Aging: journal h-index 263 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 1990 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 190 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 5.0 citations a year over 38 year(s) since 1990 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 7.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 3 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 2 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Peter B. Crino: h-index 69 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Boston University: institution h-index 1,456 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 2146522) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 41 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Volicer, L., & Crino, P. B. (1990). Involvement of free radicals in dementia of the Alzheimer type: a hypothesis. Neurobiology of aging. https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-4580(90)90119-k
Vancouver
Volicer L, Crino PB. Involvement of free radicals in dementia of the Alzheimer type: a hypothesis. Neurobiology of aging. 1990. doi:10.1016/0197-4580(90)90119-k. PMID: 2146522.
BibTeX
@article{volicer1990-2146522,
author = {Volicer, L. and Crino, P. B.},
title = {{Involvement of free radicals in dementia of the Alzheimer type: a hypothesis}},
journal = {Neurobiology of aging},
year = {1990},
doi = {10.1016/0197-4580(90)90119-k},
pmid = {2146522},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/0197-4580(90)90119-k}
}
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