Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and acetylcholinesterase activities of cerebrospinal fluid in Alzheimer's disease.
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.
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
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase