The role of glial cells in neuronal acetylcholine synthesis

This paper presents data on the role of glial cells in neuronal ACh synthesis. It is noted that central neurons fare better in cultures when in contact with non-neuronal cells, and especially glial cells. Since neither the fate of the Ch released from the glial cells nor the role of the contact between glial cells and neurons has yet been elucidated, the author investigates these phenomena. Glial cells from 14-day-old chickbrain were cultured for 14 days. (14C) - choline incorporated into lipids, phosphocholine, betaine and ACh, as well as the free (14C) -choline, were determined in the pure glial cell cultures after 24 h, and in the combined cultures after 7 days. The (14C) - choline influx into the incubation medium and the uptake by the neurons were measured. Results are presented