Brain Levels of Neuron‐Specific and Nonneuronal Enolase in Huntington's Disease

Abstract

Levels of the cell-specific brain isoenzymes of enolase were determined in basal ganglia and cerebral cortical tissue of disease and age- and sex-matched control brain. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels are decreased an average of 45% in basal ganglia from patients with Huntington''s disease while the glial-specific form of enolase, nonneuronal enolase (NNE), is not significantly altered. In contrast, levels of NSE in cerebral cortical tissue from Huntington''s disease patients remains unchanged in comparison with controls while NNE levels are significantly increased. NNE and NSE levels appear to be specific biochemical indicators of glial and neuronal cell number and viability. Levels of these cell-specific isoenzymes may prove useful in quantitating neuropathological changes in various neurological disorders.