Characterization of the course of senile dementia of the Alzheimer type using cerebrospinal fluid levels of acetylcholinesterase and somatostatin.
Through an epidemiological survey, we observed 3 types of clinical courses among patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). The mental ability of the patients declined rapidly (Group A; n = 11), gradually (Group B; n = 6), or showed extremely slow changes (Group C; n = 9). The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and somatostatin (SRIF) concentration of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 3 types of SDAT. Both AChE activity and SRIF concentration of CSF were significantly lower in Group A and among patients with AD compared with age-matched control subjects. Both AChE activity and SRIF concentration of CSF were not significantly different in Groups B and C. This biochemical study confirmed our epidemiological finding that only the patients in Group A with SDAT closely resembled the clinical course of AD and may belong to the category of neurodegenerative disorders.
Urakami
K
K
Division of Neurology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
Adachi
Y
Y
Awaki
E
E
Takahashi
K
K
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
D013004:Somatostatin; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase