Butyrylcholinesterase-knockout reduces fibrillar β-amyloid and conserves 18 FDG retention in 5XFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

•Diminished fibrillar Aβ was observed in 5XFAD mice lacking BChE (5XFAD/BChE-KO) versus 5XFAD.•Reduced 18FDG retention, was observed globally in the 5XFAD mouse model.•Regionalized 18FDG retention was observed in 5XFAD/BChE-KO cerebral cortex and thalamus.•18FDG retention in hippocampal formation, amygdala and basal ganglia remained unchanged in 5XFAD/BChE-KO.•BChE-knockout and fibrillar Aβ reduction may confer a protective effect on brain function.