title: CSF acetylcholinesterase levels are reduced in multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure.
abstract: Diminished CSF levels of acetylcholinesterase in patients with multiple system atrophy attended by autonomic failure suggest that CNS cholinergic involvement may occur in this disorder. The lack of correlation between the low enzyme levels and low CSF levels of monoamine metabolites in these patients indicates that the acetylcholinesterase reduction is not directly related to disruption in these neurotransmitter systems. Normal CSF acetylcholinesterase levels in those patients with pure autonomic failure are consistent with functional integrity of central cholinergic pathways and support a pathophysiologic involvement limited to the peripheral nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neuropharmacology Section, National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Polinsky
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Weise
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009420:Nervous System / Q000473:pathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D001679:Biogenic Amines; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase