Garcia-Ayllon_2011_Front.Mol.Neurosci_4_22

A common feature in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain is the presence of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) which is commonly associated with beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). Although our understanding of the relationship between AChE and the pathological features of AD is incomplete, increasing evidence suggests that both beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) and abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau (P-tau) can influence AChE expression. We also review recent findings which suggest the possible role of AChE in the development of a vicious cycle of Abeta and P-tau dysregulation and discuss the limited and temporary effect of therapeutic intervention with AChE inhibitors.