Your Memory Matters (www.yourmemorymatters.com) is a website for those with questions about early memory loss.

Synthesize Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine Imbalance in Early Memory Loss

There is a known imbalance in acetylcholine activity in early memory loss. A recent study compared the brains of normal subjects to those with early memory loss (MCI) and Alzheimer's. The researchers were surprised to find elevated, rather than reduced, levels of the acetylcholine producing enzyme in subjects with early memory loss. The enzyme needed to produce acetylcholine is choline acetyltransferase, or ChAT. ChAT was elevated in areas that are critical for memory. This indicates that in the earliest stages of memory loss, there is a greater demand for the de novo synthesis of acetylcholine.


This graph represents technical information presented in: DeKosky S, et al. Upregulation of choline acetyltransferase activity in hippocampus and frontal cortex of elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment. Ann Neurol. 2002;51:145-155.

L-methylfolate Supports the Synthesis of Acetylcholine

As neurons die, the brain struggles to maintain normal levels of acetylcholine, and acetylcholine is the most important neurotransmitter associated with memory. The distinct nutritional need for L-methylfolate provides the methyl group needed for the synthesis of Phosphotydal Choline (PC), "a precursor to acetylcholine".

Meeting the Increased Need for Acetylcholine

Through the enzyme activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), choline can be made by neurons in 2 ways. In the earliest stages of memory loss, reduced acetylcholine levels increase the nutritional need for de novo synthesis of acetylcholine.

  1. Breakdown of synaptic acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase and transport back into the neuron for recycling acetylcholine.

· Cerefolin®NAC provides the L-methylfolate needed to cross the blood brain barrier and support the synthesis of acetylcholine needed by patients with early memory loss.


This illustration represents information presented in: Kohlmeier M, daCosta K, Fischer LM, Zeisel SH. Genetic variation of folate-mediated one-carbon transfer pathway predicts susceptibility to choline deficiency in humans. PNAS. 2005;102(44):16025-16030.

  1. De novo synthesis of acetylcholine which is the new formation of choline via homocysteine metabolism.



This illustration represents technical information presented in: Blusztajn JK, Liscovitch M, Richardson UI. Synthesis of Acetylcholine from Choline Derived from Phosphatidylcholine in a Human Neuronal Cell Line. PNAS. 1987;84(15):5474-5477. Jacob RA, Jenden DJ, Allman-Farinelli MI, Swendseid ME. Folate Nutriture Alters Choline Status of Women and Men Fed Low Choline Diets. Journal of Nutrition. 1999;129:712-717.