Brain choline acetyltransferase and mental function in Alzheimer disease.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether higher brain levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) are associated with improved neuropsychological function in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).

DESIGN:

Case series with single-blind post hoc analysis of biopsy specimens.

SETTING:

Urban hospital and medical school.

PATIENTS:

A consecutive sample of 8 patients with AD undergoing brain biopsy and surgical implantation of intraventricular pumps for administration of potential chemotherapeutic agents.

INTERVENTIONS:

Brain biopsy, surgical implantation of intraventricular pumps, and, in 1 patient, ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

All patients underwent neuropsychological testing no more than 2 weeks before surgical biopsy. Levels of ChAT were determined in fresh brain tissue from biopsy samples.

RESULTS:

Significant positive correlations were found between ChAT levels and 2 neuropsychological test scores, Mini-Mental State Examination and the Logical Memory subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale.

CONCLUSION:

Degeneration of the cholinergic system in vivo correlates with decreasing cognitive function in patients with AD.

• Authors: D S Baskin, J L Browning, F J Pirozzolo, S Korporaal, J A Baskin, S H Appel
• Journal: Archives of neurology (Arch Neurol) Vol. 56 Issue 9 Pg. 1121-3 (Sep 1999) ISSN: 0003-9942 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10488813 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Choline O-Acetyltransferase

Topics

• Aged
• Alzheimer Disease (enzymology, psychology)
• Biopsy (methods)
• Brain (enzymology, surgery)
• Choline O-Acetyltransferase (analysis)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Neuropsychological Tests