Pseudocholinesterase and the Prediction of Stability in Subnormal and Psychopathic Offenders

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Abstract
In the last decade, much physiological and biochemical information has been collected about the organic role played by the enzyme “true” cholinesterase in the transmission of nervous impulses (Crossland, 1957; Feldberg, 1957; Nachmansohn, 1959); but attempts to explain the function of pseudocholinesterase have been less consistent, and confined mainly to the effects of physical disease (Berry et al., 1954; Koster et al., 1943; Kunkel et al., 1947; McArdle, 1940) with one exception: Richter, (1942) discovered a significant relationship between raised pseudocholinesterase activity and neurotic anxiety or depression. Eysenck commented on this behavioural link (1947), but no further investigations appear to have been carried out in spite of the provocative theme. The possibility of other behavioural abnormalities being associated with an elevated pseudocholinesterase level therefore seemed to merit some attention.

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