ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY OF SYNAPTIC PLASMA-MEMBRANES DURING AGING - EFFECT OF L-ACETYLCARNITINE

A physiopathological role for acetylcholine (ACh) was hypothesized dur ing ageing and related neurodegenerative diseases, e.g. dementia. This research was aimed to study acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity duri ng development and ageing of the frontal cerebral cortex of 4-, 8-, 12 -, 16-, 20- and 24-month-old rats. This study was performed on synapti c plasma membranes, the specific subcellular compartment where the enz yme is located in vivo both in control animals and after in vivo acute treatment with L-acetylcarnitine. Maximum AChE activity was unaffecte d by age, and L-acetylcarnitine treatment increased enzyme activity in synaptic plasma membranes of 8-month-old rats. A comprehensive analys is of these results suggests: (a) the observed alterations in protein can substantially affect neurochemical data if results are presented a s specific activities per unit protein; (b) energy metabolism plays th e major role in the disturbed ACh metabolism during ageing and (c) the understanding of the mode of action of L-acetylcarnitine in treatment of dementia.