The mechanism of action of anticholinesterase compounds on the patellar reflex.

In a previous report (McNamara et at., 1954) it was noted that spinal reflexes could be abolished reversibly by anticholinesterase compounds. When the ammals were sacrificed after return of the reflex activity, some were found to have considerable cholinesterase in their spinal cords and in other areas of the body; in other animals the enzyme was apparently absent. No determinations of acetylcholine levels were made in the above study. The present investigation is an attempt to correlate a central effect of anticholinesterase compounds with acetylcholine and cholinesterase activities in the central nervous system.