Blood markers in Alzheimer disease: subnormal acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in lymphocytes and erythrocytes

J Neurol Sci. 1994 Mar;122(1):1-5. doi: 10.1016/0022-510x(94)90044-2.

Abstract

In patients with the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD), we searched for systemic changes in components of the blood as a diagnostic tool. The acetylcholine-related enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) were measured in plasma, erythrocytes, platelets and lymphocytes. Results did not show a general effect; notwithstanding, specific cell types presented alterations either in AChE or BuChE but not in both enzymatic activities. In AD patients, AChE of lymphocytes was reduced by 60% compared with the age-matched controls. However, when patients were divided, the sporadic but not the familial subgroup exhibited a significant reduction. In erythrocytes the BuChE activity was reduced by 45% in sporadic AD. The molecular forms of the lymphocyte AChE were characterized by velocity sedimentation. Both globular forms were subnormal, more so the tetrameric G4 AChE form than the G2 form.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholinesterase / blood*
  • Alzheimer Disease / blood
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Platelets / enzymology
  • Butyrylcholinesterase / blood*
  • Clinical Enzyme Tests*
  • Erythrocytes / enzymology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / enzymology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Butyrylcholinesterase