Alzheimer's disease: Low levels of peptide a-amidation activity in brain and CSF

G. S. Wand, C. May, V. May, P. J. Whitehouse, S. I. Rapoport, B. A. Eipper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Carboxyl terminal a-amidation confers biologic activity to many neuropeptides. Levels of a-amidating activity, peptidyl-glycine α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM), were reduced in the CSF of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) compared with healthy, age-matched controls. Repeat lumbar puncture data revealed a decline in CSF PAM activity of approximately 16% per year in DAT patients. Of the cerebral cortical regions examined, only the temporal pole showed reduced PAM activity in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared with controls. These studies may indicate selective dysfunction of neurons which normally synthesize biologically active, a-amidated peptides in the CNS of AD patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1057-1061
Number of pages5
JournalNeurology
Volume37
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1987
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Alzheimer's disease: Low levels of peptide a-amidation activity in brain and CSF'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this