GM1 AND NGF SYNERGISM ON CHOLINE-ACETYLTRANSFERASE AND CHOLINE UPTAKEIN AGED BRAIN

In the brain of aged rats high affinity choline uptake (HAChU) of the striatum, hippocampus, and frontal cortex is lower than in young rats, while choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity is lower in striatum and frontal cortex. Infusion into the lateral cerebral ventricle with nerve growth factor (NGF) enhances the low values of these cholinergic markers in a dose- and region-dependent manner. GM1 ganglioside infus ed into the lateral ventricle, at a dose that is ineffective alone, to gether with NGF synergistically enhances the effect of NGF on ChAT and HAChU activities in the brain of aged animals. The pharmacology of th is GM1/NGF synergism suggests potentiation of response.