Acetylcholinesterase activity of synaptic plasma membranes during ageing: effect of L-acetylcarnitine.

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