On the Connection Between Acetylcholine and Alzheimers

Alzheimers disease is a disease that greatly affects the senior population of the
world by impairing their memory, coordination, attention, and many other brain functions.
Caused by the progressive damage to cholinergic cells that produce acetylcholine (ACh), these
impairments can lead to death (Eleanor & Stirner, 2010). The disease spreads from the neurons
of the entorhinal cortex- a hub for memory and navigation in the medial temporal lobe- and
makes it way up to the hippocampus- a major part of the brain that contributes to memory-
eventually to other organs of the body causing death (Zimmerberg, 2000). Alzheimers disease is
also noted by the presence of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles over produced by the protein
Tau and extracellular neuritic plaques composed of beta amyloid patches (helps in neuronal
function) and apolipoprotein (helps in neuronal repair) (Eleanor & Kanjuka, 2010; Zimmerberg,
2000). As such, when these two factors contribute to cholinergic neuronal death acetylcholine
levels can drop tremendously creating the disease known as Alzheimers disease.
ACh is needed for healthy brain functioning as it has a major role in memory,
coordination and attention. Certain parts of the brain that function in memory and navigation use
ACh extensively such as the hippocampus (Cloe & Lothian, 2011). ACh itself is a
neurotransmitter and goes through a regulation process. Beginning with its synthesis from
choline and acetyl coenzyme, storage into synaptic vesicles, and its release upon action potential
stimulus, the process is truly complex (Cloe & Lothian, 2011). Upon its release, ACh binds to a
receptor, breaks down by Acetyl-cholinesterase to prevent it from staying in the synapse for too
long as it can impair the brain, and the process continues (Cloe & Lothian, 2011). Found in the
hippocampus, ACh serves into assisting with memory formulation, which is why people with
Alzheimers, who do not have enough of this neurotransmitter, have short-term memory issues.
Tied with controlling the various malfunctioned characteristics people with Alzheimers
disease, ACh deficiency may cause Alzheimers according to various researchers. As mentioned
before, ACh is responsible for functions in memory, coordination, and attention. People with
Alzheimers disease, however, have short-term memory loss, are disoriented, and have low
attention spans all of which can lead to confusion (Zimmerberg, 2000). The symptoms of
Alzheimers disease directly correlate with what ACh is responsible for doing. Thus, researchers
pursue ACh research in hopes of finding a cure for the fatal tragedy, Alzheimers disease.
The obliteration of cholinergic brain cells is the main cause for the low levels of ACh in
people with Alzheimers disease. In fact, people with the disease have level even below 90%
(Zimmerberg, 2000). The two main causes of cholinergic cell destruction are immune system
over-reaction to neuritic plaques composed of beta amyloid patches and apolipoprotein and the
sporadic growth of neurofibrillary tangles when the protein Tau is over-produced (Zimmerberg,
2000). There might be a linkage between the over-production of the protein Tau and genetics as
Alzheimers disease might be hereditary.
One of the most obvious ways to reduce the symptoms of Alzheimers disease is to
increase ACh levels. In the market today there are many drugs that do this, namely
Tetrohydroaminoacridine and Donepezil that both work to stop the enzyme Acetyl-
cholinesterase- which breaks down ACh (Zimmerberg, 2000). Specific Anti-aging medicine also
work the same way (Wittman & Brnick, 2013). Another method in which ACh levels are directly
increased are the hormones dehydroepiandrosterone and pregnenolone, which stimulates the
hippocampus to produce more ACh(Wittman & Brnick, 2013). However, alternatives that are
more natural are available such as Vitamin B-complexes (criticial in ACh synthesis) and the
Gingko Biloba supplement (causes the brain to absorb more ACh) (Wittman & Brnick, 2013).
Bibliography
Eleanor, R. & Stirner, M. (Jun. 10, 2010). Acetlycholine and Alzheimers. Retrieved from
http://www.livestrong.com/article/144948-acetylcholine-alzheimers-disease/
Zimmerberg, B. (2000). IA5. Clinical Application: Acetylcholine and Alzheimer's Disease.
Retrieved from http://web.williams.edu/imput/synapse/pages/IA5.html
Cloe, A. & Lothian, R. (Jul. 29, 2011). Why is Acetylcholine Needed for a Healthy Brain?
Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/351401-why-is-acetylcholine-needed-
for-a-healthy-brain/
Eleanor, R. & Kanjuka, A. (Jun 1, 2010). How Does Alzheimers Disease Affect the Brain?
Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/137169-how-does-alzheimers-disease-
affect-brain/
Wittman, L. & Brnick, C. (Sept 6, 2013). How To Increase Your Acetylcholine Levels.
Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/345638-how-to-increase-acetylcholine/