Prevention by Choline of the Depletion of Membrane Phosphatidylcholine by a Cholinesterase Inhibitor

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Abstract
To the Editor: Choline serves, within cholinergic neurons, as a precursor to both acetylcholine and such membrane phospholipids as phosphatidylcholine.1 The availability of extracellular choline, provided by the circulation or formed intrasynaptically through acetylcholinesterase-mediated hydrolysis of acetylcholine, can influence the synthesis1 and release2 of acetylcholine, the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine,3 and levels of phosphatidylcholine in membranes.4 Moreover, the choline in membrane phosphatidylcholine can be mobilized to serve as a precursor to acetylcholine,5 when extracellular choline is inadequate.2 We previously proposed6 that patients with Alzheimer's disease be given supplemental choline when treated with drugs, such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, that diminish the availability . . .