title: Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and acetylcholinesterase activities of cerebrospinal fluid in Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Recent neurochemical studies have indicated that in Alzheimer's disease there is disturbance of the cholinergic metabolism of the brain. Defects in other transmitter systems have also been suggested. As a marker of noradrenergic metabolism of the central nervous system, we measured dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (EC. 1.14.17.1) activity in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 60 Alzheimer patients and 20 controls of the same age and sex. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activities of the CSF from Alzheimer patients did not differ significantly from those for the controls. The dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activities were not correlated with severity of dementia. As reported previously, the activity of a cholinergic marker, acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7), was reduced in the CSF of Alzheimer patients. Interestingly, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activities were correlated with acetylcholinesterase activities both in Alzheimer patients and control group.
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000523:psychology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase