![conference banner](/images/conference-banner.jpeg)
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are widely expressed in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Despite this, very little was known, until recently, about their physiological role. In the periphery, nicotinic receptors mediate vital excitatory fast synaptic cholinergic transmission at both the neuromuscular junction and ganglia. In the brain, this role has been mainly “delegated” to glutamate receptors. The very broad cholinergic innervations of most brain areas, including the cortex, have implicated this system, and brain nicotinic receptors in particular, in a unique “modulatory” role of other transmitters systems. Recent evidence confirms, on one hand, that brain nicotinic receptors have a dominant “presynaptic” modulatory function, controlling the release of both acetylcholine (auto-receptors) and other neurotransmitters (hetero-receptors). On the other hand, more experimental data support the idea that a variable component of fast synaptic transmission in the brain can also be mediated by “postynaptic” nicotinic receptors, which, in turn, can control cell excitability. A challenging goal is to identify which one of the plethora of nicotinic receptor subtypes is mediating each effect in different brain areas, and which of these receptors and functions are lost or affected in different human neuro-psychiatric disorders. Needless to say, a better understanding of the physiological role of brain nicotinic receptors will drive our quest for more selective and efficacious nicotinic receptor targeted therapeutic agents.
Keywords: nicotinic receptors, synaptic transmission, cell excitability
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Physiological Roles of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors Subtypes: New Insights on the Nicotinic Modulation of Neurotransmitter Release, Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity
Volume: 4 Issue: 3
Author(s): E. Sher, Y. Chen, T.J.W. Sharples, L.M. Broad, G. Benedetti, R. Zwart, G.I. McPhie, K.H. Pearson, T. Baldwinson and G. De Filippi
Affiliation:
Keywords: nicotinic receptors, synaptic transmission, cell excitability
Abstract: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are widely expressed in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Despite this, very little was known, until recently, about their physiological role. In the periphery, nicotinic receptors mediate vital excitatory fast synaptic cholinergic transmission at both the neuromuscular junction and ganglia. In the brain, this role has been mainly “delegated” to glutamate receptors. The very broad cholinergic innervations of most brain areas, including the cortex, have implicated this system, and brain nicotinic receptors in particular, in a unique “modulatory” role of other transmitters systems. Recent evidence confirms, on one hand, that brain nicotinic receptors have a dominant “presynaptic” modulatory function, controlling the release of both acetylcholine (auto-receptors) and other neurotransmitters (hetero-receptors). On the other hand, more experimental data support the idea that a variable component of fast synaptic transmission in the brain can also be mediated by “postynaptic” nicotinic receptors, which, in turn, can control cell excitability. A challenging goal is to identify which one of the plethora of nicotinic receptor subtypes is mediating each effect in different brain areas, and which of these receptors and functions are lost or affected in different human neuro-psychiatric disorders. Needless to say, a better understanding of the physiological role of brain nicotinic receptors will drive our quest for more selective and efficacious nicotinic receptor targeted therapeutic agents.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
E. Sher , Y. Chen , T.J.W. Sharples , L.M. Broad , G. Benedetti , R. Zwart , G.I. McPhie , K.H. Pearson , T. Baldwinson and G. De Filippi , Physiological Roles of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors Subtypes: New Insights on the Nicotinic Modulation of Neurotransmitter Release, Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2004; 4 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026043451393
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026043451393 |
Print ISSN 1568-0266 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4294 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Medicinal Chemistry Advancement in Life-Threatening Diseases
The current issue will highlight concise reports that specify ground-breaking insights, including the novel discovery of drug targets and their action mechanism or drugs of novel classes. These are projected to encourage medicinal chemistry future efforts to address the most challenging medical needs. The current issue highlights further efforts to ...read more
![](/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Use of Human Umbilical Cord Blood (HUCB) Cells to Repair the Damaged Brain
Current Neurovascular Research α-Synuclein and the Pathogenesis of Parkinsons Disease
Protein & Peptide Letters Vasopressin in Health and Disease with a Focus on Affective Disorders
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Trichostatin A - like Hydroxamate Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Therapeutic Agents: Toxicological Point of View
Current Medicinal Chemistry Upregulation of Focal Adhesion Kinase by 14-3-3ε via NFκB Activation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Targeting Long Non-Coding RNAs in Nervous System Cancers: New Insights in Prognosis, Diagnosis and Therapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry SiRNA Mediated Gene Silencing: Hurdles, Strategies and Applications
Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology On Generating Uniform Bottom Shear Stress. Part II: Shear Stress Inducing Devices
Recent Patents on Chemical Engineering From Leflunomide to Teriflunomide: Drug Development and Immunosuppressive Oral Drugs in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Current Neuropharmacology Hijacking the Hedgehog Pathway in Cancer Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry A Glance Over the Cannabinoid Machinery to Design New Anti- Angiogenic Compounds
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Alzheimers Disease and n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Beneficial Effects and Possible Molecular Pathways Involved
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Pharmacophores for Ligand Recognition and Activation / Inactivation of the Cannabinoid Receptors
Current Pharmaceutical Design Phenolic Acids Exert Anticholinesterase and Cognition-Improving Effects
Current Alzheimer Research Combined <i>Curcuma longa</i> and <i>Cratoxylum formosum</i> Extracts Possess Anti-liver Cancer and Anti-HBV Activities in HepG2.2.15
Current Traditional Medicine Solid Phase Synthesis of Oxytocin Analogues Conjugated to Polyamino Polycarboxylic Ligands
Letters in Organic Chemistry Podophyllotoxin: Current Perspectives
Current Bioactive Compounds Editorial (Hot Topic: Innovative Approaches for the Management of Pediatric Malignancies)
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cholesterol, Alzheimers Disease, Prion Disorders: A menage a trois?
Current Drug Targets Differential Regulation of Neurotoxin in HIV Clades: Role of Cocaine and Methamphetamine
Current HIV Research