title: Neurochemical studies of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Possible influence on treatment.
abstract: Multiple neurotransmitter deficits found in recent autopsy studies of patients with Alzheimer's disease may militate against the success of "simple cholinergic replacement" as treatment. To study acetylcholine synthesis, we measured the incorporation of radiolabeled glucose into the transmitter in temporal-cortex specimens obtained at diagnostic craniotomy in 17 young patients with Alzheimer's disease. Synthesis of acetylcholine was significantly correlated with cognitive impairment. These results are consistent with the view that the deficit in the presynaptic cholinergic system is a relatively early change in the development of the clinical features of the disease. Other alterations in noradrenergic cells, some cortical neurons, postsynaptic cortical receptors, and possibly serotoninergic cells may not be closely associated with Alzheimer's disease.
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Sims
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Esiri
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neary
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Snowden
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Wilcock
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000378:metabolism; D003071:Cognition; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000172:deficiency; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency; D010277:Parasympathomimetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010277:Parasympathomimetics; D012701:Serotonin; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D000109:Acetylcholine; D009638:Norepinephrine