Acetylcholinesterase levels in brains of fishes from polluted waters.

Distressed menhaden collected from the Ashley River, South Carolina, were found to have 46.8% less acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in brain homogenates as compared to menhaden collected from offshore waters. Menhaden and croakers also taken from the Ashley River, but not in a distressed condition, were found to be 16.5 and 35.8% inhibited, respectively. AChE inhibiting materials were found in three of twelve waste water samples collected from the vicinity of the Ashley River.