Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Seven markers of ascending (corticopetal) dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic neurones and choline acetyltransferase activity have been studied postmortem in frontal and temporal cortex from subjects with Alzheimer's disease and compared with a matched group of controls. Dopaminergic neurones (concentrations of dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid) were not deficient but some markers of the other neurones were affected. Noradrenaline and serotonin concentrations were reduced whereas the concentrations of their metabolites were either unaltered (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) or increased (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol). All deficits were most pronounced in the temporal cortex. Severely demented subjects had evidence of generalized neuronal loss, whereas those with moderate dementia showed significant loss of only choline acetyltransferase activity. In Alzheimer subjects, a significant relationship (inverse) was found between 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentration and the number of neurofibrillary tangles.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/0006-8993(87)91408-9

Type

Journal article

Journal

Brain Res

Publication Date

20/01/1987

Volume

401

Pages

231 - 238

Keywords

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Alzheimer Disease, Biogenic Amines, Dopamine, Female, Frontal Lobe, Homovanillic Acid, Humans, Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid, Male, Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol, Middle Aged, Norepinephrine, Serotonin, Temporal Lobe