[Location of acetylcholinesterase in axotomized ciliary ganglia]

In the present note we have investigated the cytochemical localization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the chick ciliary ganglion (CG) after post-ganglionic axotomy obtained by ablation of the eyeball. Preliminary results show at quite early stages after axotomy a remarkable reduction of cytoplasmic AChE, the residual one being localized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. On the contrary synaptic areas, in particular those concerning the calyciform synapses, still show a marked AchE activity, similarly to what observed in physiological conditions. The decrease of cytoplasmic AChe in axotomized CG does suggest the possibility that such AChE undergoes to a topographical rearrangement moving towards the synaptic areas of ganglionic neurons.