title: Pathological mutations of nicotinic receptors and nicotine-based therapies for brain disorders.
abstract: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are allosteric ligand-gated ion channels present in muscle and brain. Recent studies suggest that mutations altering their functional properties may produce congenital myasthenia and familial frontal lobe epilepsy. Current research also indicates that although nicotinic ligands often possess addictive properties, they could serve as therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease and Tourette's syndrome, as well as for schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurobiologie Moléculaire, Institut Pasteur 25-28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724, Paris, France. clena@pasteur.fr
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Léna
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Changeux
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D018678:Cholinergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009538:Nicotine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D018678:Cholinergic Agents; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D009538:Nicotine