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Biological markers in cerebrospinal fluid for axonal impairment in multiple sclerosis: acetylcholinesterase activity cannot be considered a useful biomarker

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Abstract

An impairment of the cholinergic system activity has been demonstrated in multiple sclerosis (MS). The correlation between the cholinergic system and the cognitive dysfunction in MS has led to studies on the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI). The acetylcholinesterase (AChE), essential enzyme for the regulation of turnover of acetylcholine, can be considered the most important biochemical indicator of cholinergic signaling in the nervous system. Besides its catalytic properties, AChE has a crucial role in the regulation of the immune function. Based on the role of the AChe in the regulation of cholinergic signaling in the nervous system, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the activity of AChE in different pathological conditions: MS, other inflammatory neurological disorders (OIND) and non-inflammatory neurological disorders (NIND). We measured AChE activity in CSF samples obtained from 34 relapsing–remitting MS patients and, as controls, 40 patients with other inflammatory neurological disorders (OIND) and 40 subjects with other non-inflammatory neurological disorders (NIND). Fluorimetric detection of the AChE in MS patients and in the controls showed no statistically significant differences: 1.507 ± 0.403 nmol/ml/min in MS patients, 1.484 ± 0.496 nmol/ml/min in OIND and 1.305 ± 0.504 nmol/ml/min in NIND. Similar results were obtained in another recent study, using a different method. Further studies must be conducted on a larger number of patients, with different degrees of cognitive impairment. However, AChE measured in CSF can probably not be considered a useful biomarker for the assessment of the functional alterations of cholinergic system in pathological conditions.

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Acknowledgments

The work was supported by the Emilia Romagna Region, Health Research Program. The authors thank Dr. Eva Sjolin for her help in revising the translation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Ferrara University, Via Fossato di Mortara 17, 44100, Ferrara, Italy

    T. Antonelli, M. C. Tomasini & L. Ferraro

  2. Section of Neurology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Communication and Behaviour, University of Ferrara, Corso della Giovecca 203, 44100, Ferrara, Italy

    M. Castellazzi, C. Tamborino & E. Granieri

  3. Department of Neurology, Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, Via Giardini 1355, 41126, Modena, Italy

    P. Sola & D. Ferraro

Authors
  1. T. Antonelli
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  2. M. C. Tomasini
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  3. M. Castellazzi
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  4. P. Sola
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  5. C. Tamborino
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  6. D. Ferraro
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  7. L. Ferraro
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  8. E. Granieri
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. Granieri.

Additional information

On the behalf of ERMeS. The members of ERMeS are listed in "Appendix".

Appendix

Appendix

The members of ERMeS are (Emilia Romagna Multiple Sclerosis) group: E Granieri (coordinator), I. Casetta, M. Castellazzi, R. De Gennaro, E. Groppo, M. Gentile, L. Piccolo, M. Padroni, M. Pastore, F. Pedelini; M. R. Tola, L. Caniatti, E. Baldi, E. Fainardi (Ferrara); D. Guidetti, P. De Mitri, P. Immovilli, E. Terlizzi (Piacenza); E. Montanari, I. Pesci, B. Allegri, MP (Fidenza); G. Terzano, F. Granella, M. I. Anrtonelli (Parma); N. Marcello, L. Motti (Reggio Emilia); M. Santangelo, C. M. Stucchi, L. Vaghi (Carpi); P. Nichelli, P. Sola, D. Ferraro, A. M. Simone (Modena); P. Avoni, A. Baldrati, A. Baruzzi, R. D’Alessandro, Michelucci, L. Sabattini, R. F. Salvi, T. Saquegna, C. Scandellari, S. Stecchi (Bologna); V. Mussuto (Imola); W. Neri, P. Prati, S. Strumia (Forlì); F. Rasi, C. Callegarini, M. Galeotti, L. Fiorani, M. Spadoni, (Ravenna, Faenza, Lugo); S. Malagù (Cesena); A. Ravasio, J.Andruccioli (Rimini); S. Guttmann, C. Monaldini (Repubblica di San Marino).

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Antonelli, T., Tomasini, M.C., Castellazzi, M. et al. Biological markers in cerebrospinal fluid for axonal impairment in multiple sclerosis: acetylcholinesterase activity cannot be considered a useful biomarker. Neurol Sci 34, 769–771 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-012-1265-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-012-1265-9

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