title: CSF choline and acetylcholinesterase in early-onset vs. late-onset Alzheimer's disease patients.
abstract: Cerebrospinal fluid acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity levels and choline (Ch) levels were studied in 52 dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT) patients and 20 age-matched controls. The AChE activity was significantly lower and Ch levels were significantly higher in DAT patients than the age-matched controls. There was no significant difference in AChE activity and Ch levels between early-onset (less than or equal to 65 years) patients and late-onset (greater than 65 years) patients. However, the AChE activity was significantly lower in early-onset patients compared with their age-matched controls but no difference was observed in late-onset patients compared with their age-matched controls. None of the biological measures (AChE, Ch) were significantly correlated with the degree of cognitive impairment, duration of the illness or the sex of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giacobini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Markwell
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002794:Choline / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002794:Choline