Iatrogenic Alzheimer's disease in recipients of cadaveric pituitary-derived growth hormone

This paper investigates the potential for iatrogenic Alzheimer's disease (AD) in recipients of cadaveric pituitary-derived growth hormone (c-hGH). Previous research showed transmission of amyloid-beta (Aβ) pathology in c-hGH recipients who died from iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (iCJD). This study examines c-hGH recipients who developed dementia and AD biomarkers, suggesting that AD, like CJD, can be environmentally acquired. While iatrogenic AD may be rare, the findings highlight the need for measures to prevent accidental transmission of Aβ via medical procedures. The study also discusses the possibility of Aβ strains and their role in phenotypic diversity.

Gargi Banerjee, Simon F. Farmer, Harpreet Hyare, Zane Jaunmuktane, Simon Mead, Natalie S. Ryan, Jonathan M. Schott, David J. Werring, Peter Rudge, John Collinge