Brain acetylcholine synthesis declines with senescence.
The synthesis of whole brain acetylcholine is reduced in two strains (C57BL and BALB/c) of senescent mice. The incorporation of [U-14C]glucose into acetylcholine decreased in both strains by 40 +/- 4 per cent in 10-month-old mice and by 58 +/- 9 percent in 30-month-old mice compared with mice 3 months old. The incorporation of [2H4]choline into acetylcholine declined 60 and 73 percent in 10- and 30-month-old mice, respectively. Deficits in the cholinergic system may contribute to brain dysfunctions that complicate senescence.
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D007773:Lactates / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice
D007773:Lactates; D005947:Glucose; D002794:Choline; D000109:Acetylcholine