Topochemical localization of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase in mouse brain

The specific activities of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were measured at neuroanatomically identified loci of the C57BL/6J mouse brain. ChAT specific activity was highest in corpus striatum. Areas of the basal forebrain had high to moderate activities, while low activities were seen in hypothalamic areas. AChE specific activity correlated highly with ChAT specific activity in all brain regions. Pronounced rostro-caudal gradients of both ChAT and AChE specific activities were discovered in the diagonal band of Broca. Overall, the regional distribution of cholinergic markers in mouse brain closely resembles that of the rat. Systemic administration of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) had no effect on ChAT or AChE specific activities in any brain region.