Effect of Unilateral Decortication on Choline Acetyltransferase Activity in the Nucleus Basalis and Other Areas of the Rat Brain |
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| Authors: | P. H. Stephens A. C. Cuello M. V. Sofroniew R. C. A. Pearson P Tagari |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, England;Department of Human Anatomy, University of Oxford, Oxford, England |
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| Abstract: | Acetyl-coenzyme A: choline O-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.6) (ChAT) enzyme activity was measured in the nucleus basalis and other microscopically identified brain areas at various times after unilateral cortical lesions were made in the rat. Initially, a significant decrease in ChAT activity was detected in the nucleus basalis ipsilateral to the lesion. However, after 120 days ChAT activity had apparently recovered, as levels of the enzyme at that time were not significantly different from control values. No changes in ChAT activity could be detected in any of the other brain areas similarly studied. The significance of these findings and their relationship to the morphological changes seen in neurones of the nucleus basalis after cortical lesions are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | Basal nucleus Choline acetyltransferase Cortex Retrograde cell degeneration |
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