Characterization of the course of senile dementia of the Alzheimer type using cerebrospinal fluid levels of acetylcholinesterase and somatostatin

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Abstract
— Through an epidemiological survey, we observed 3 types of clinical courses among patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). The mental ability of the patients declined rapidly (Group A; n= 11), gradually (Group B; n= 6), or showed extremely slow changes (Group C; n= 9). The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and somatostatin (SRIF) concentration of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 3 types of SDAT. Both AChE activity and SRIF concentration of CSF were significantly lower in Group A and among patients with AD compared with age‐matched control subjects. Both AChE activity and SRIF concentration of CSF were not significantly different in Groups B and C. This biochemical study confirmed our epidemiological finding that only the patients in Group A with SDAT closely resembled the clinical course of AD and may belong to the category of neurodegenerative disorders.