Memory and cognitive function in man: does the cholinergic system have a specific role?
Interference with cholinergic function produces disruption of memory/cognitive (M/C) performance in both animals and man. It is uncertain whether this disruption is due to a specific relation of cholinergic neurons to M/C functions, or whether the effect is nonspecific, resulting either from alteration of alertness and attention, or from a "mass action" effect, with loss of functioning neurons. Scopolamine was given to normal subjects to produce an M/C impairment. Half the test subjects then received physostigmine and half d-amphetamine. Physostigmine, a pharmacologic antagonist of scopolamine, markedly improved M/C functions; amphetamine failed to produce M/C improvement, although alertness was improved, and activity in catecholaminergic neurons presumably increased. This comparison supports a specific role for cholinergic neurons in M/C processes. Possible mechanisms of cholinergic neural functioning in memory include plasticity of cholinergic synapses, as well as other acetylcholine-depended operations of the limbic system crucial to memory.
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000187:drug effects; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology
D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D010830:Physostigmine; D012601:Scopolamine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine