Author(s)

Rakesh Sharma, Soonjo Kwon

Department of Biological Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, Utah.
Department of Radiology and Molecular Biology, Columbia University, New York.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is considered a slow neuronal dysfunction process through hypoxia, ischemia and leads to apoptosis mediated senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Due to non-invasive approach of plaque characterization, computational techniques based on Brownian dynamics simulation are unique to speculate the electrostatic and kinetic properties of Acetylcho-linesterase (AChE). Typically the MRI spectros-copy high choline peak and enzyme specific to Alzheimer’s Disease (specificity constant (kcat/Km) of AChE) appeared associated with apoptosis and hypoxia. A simple display between synergy of cytokines, apoptosis, elevated AChE and choline is postulated as initial events. The events may be distributed heterogeneously within the senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The role of decreased brain AChE and synergy was associated with specific Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic (MRS) pattern profiles in AD. These findings suggest that that the altered AChE and early apoptosis events in AD may be associated with specific MR spectral peak patterns. This study opens the possibility of reduced AChE levels causing high choline and reduced N-acetyl ace-tate (NAA) neurotransmitter by MRS after initial apoptosis and/or inflammation to make amyloid plaques in the cerebral tissue of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. These results can be useful in clinical trials on AD lesions.

Alzheimer’s Disease, Acetylcholinesterase, Electrostatics, Dielectic effect, Ionic effect, Brownian dynamics, Apoptosis

Sharma, R. and Kwon, S. (2008) Enhanced apoptosis and electrostatic acetylcholi-nesterase activity of abnormally hydrophobic envi-ronment in alzheimer’s plaques. Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering, 1, 178-181. doi: 10.4236/jbise.2008.13030.