2

SUMMARY

The cholinotoxic effect of aluminium and its role in Alzheimer's

disease have been widely reported. In vitro aluminium produced a

biphasic effect on acetylcholinesterase activity.

The

present

study analyses the in vivoeffect of aluminium exposure on rat

brain

acetylcholinesterase

activity.

Rats

were

exposed

to

aluminium chloride by oral route at a dose of 320 mg/kg body

weight

for

shorter

(4

and

14

days)

and

longer

(60

days)

duration. Acetylcholinesterase activity in striatum brain region

was increased after 4 and 14 days and decreased after 60 days of

aluminium exposure. The biphasic change in acetylcholinesterase

activity may be due to slow accumulation of aluminium in the

brain and its direct effect on the enzyme followed by complex

formation.

KEY WORDS

Aluminium, Alzheimer's Disease, Acetylcholinesterase, Rat Brain

and Biphasic Effect.