Subtypes of dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT)-DAT with motor abnormalities, such as extrapyramidal signs (EDAT) and myoclonus (MDAT), were studied using neurochemical measurements in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) . Reductions in somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were found in DAT, EDAT and MDAT. An inverse relation between CSF HVA and alpha-MSH-LI was found in DAT patients. Furthermore, in patients with Parkinson's disease, CSF alpha-MSH-LI was elevated. Young adult Down syndrome subjects had elevated levels of CSF choline, but AChE activity and somatostatin and neuropeptide Y concentrations did not differ from control values in either young or old Down patients. In healthy control subjects, age-related increases were found in CSF total protein, choline, the polyols erythritol and myoinositol and ACHE activity. CSF-production is reduced in healthy old subjects. The rate of formation of CSF in elderly subjects (0.2 ml/min) was 50% that of young subjects (0. 4 ml/min) . CSF Protein gradients did not differ between young and old subjects. There was no significant difference in rostrocaudal CSF gradients of somatostatin or neuropeptide Y caudal lumbar CSF fractions, whereas ACHE activity was higher in the more caudal fractions of young but not old subjects.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01AG000140-06
Application #
3808871
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
National Institute on Aging
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code