Reduced number of [3H]nicotine and [3H]acetylcholine binding sites in the frontal cortex of Alzheimer brains

Neurosci Lett. 1986 Dec 3;72(1):115-9. doi: 10.1016/0304-3940(86)90629-4.

Abstract

Nicotinic cholinergic receptors were measured in human frontal cortex using [3H]nicotine and [3H]acetylcholine (in the presence of atropine) as receptor ligands. A parallel marked reduction in number of [3H]nicotine (52%; P less than 0.01) and [3H]acetylcholine (-55%; P less than 0.05) binding was found in the frontal cortex of Alzheimer brains (AD/SDAT) when compared to age-matched control brains. As a comparison the number of muscarinic receptors was quantified using [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate and found to be significantly increased (+23%; less than 0.01) in AD/SDAT compared to controls.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase / metabolism
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / analysis*
  • Frontal Lobe / enzymology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / analysis*
  • Receptors, Muscarinic / analysis
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / analysis

Substances

  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • Receptors, Muscarinic
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase