Rachel Sayer1, Emma Law, Peter J Connelly, Kieran C Breen. 1. Dundee Alzheimer's Disease Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Dundee Medical School, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: A decrease in cholinergic activity is a key event in the biochemistry of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the study was to investigate the expression levels of markers of cholinergic function in saliva, which is a readily accessible body fluid that can be obtained from subjects with minimal distress. DESIGN AND METHODS: Salivary samples were obtained from people with NINCDS-ARDRA "probable" Alzheimer's disease and age- and sex-matched controls. Salivary acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) activity was determined colorometrically. RESULTS: Robust AChE catalytic activity was detected in the saliva samples that was stable for up to 6 h at room temperature following the provision of the salivary sample. The activity of the enzyme was significantly lower in people with AD than in age-matched controls. In addition, there were significant differences in activity between those who responded to acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChE-I) therapy and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary enzyme activity may therefore prove to be a useful marker of central cholinergic activity.
OBJECTIVES: A decrease in cholinergic activity is a key event in the biochemistry of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the study was to investigate the expression levels of markers of cholinergic function in saliva, which is a readily accessible body fluid that can be obtained from subjects with minimal distress. DESIGN AND METHODS: Salivary samples were obtained from people with NINCDS-ARDRA "probable" Alzheimer's disease and age- and sex-matched controls. Salivary acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) activity was determined colorometrically. RESULTS: Robust AChE catalytic activity was detected in the saliva samples that was stable for up to 6 h at room temperature following the provision of the salivary sample. The activity of the enzyme was significantly lower in people with AD than in age-matched controls. In addition, there were significant differences in activity between those who responded to acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChE-I) therapy and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary enzyme activity may therefore prove to be a useful marker of central cholinergic activity.
Authors: M Castagnola; P M Picciotti; I Messana; C Fanali; A Fiorita; T Cabras; L Calò; E Pisano; G C Passali; F Iavarone; G Paludetti; E Scarano Journal: Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Date: 2011-12 Impact factor: 2.124
Authors: Maria Giulia Lionetto; Roberto Caricato; Antonio Calisi; Maria Elena Giordano; Trifone Schettino Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2013-07-11 Impact factor: 3.411