Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in sensory cortex.
Acetylcholine release in sensory neocortex contributes to higher-order sensory function, in part by activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Molecular studies have revealed a bewildering array of nAChR subtypes and cellular actions; however, there is some consensus emerging about the major nAChR subtypes and their functions in sensory cortex. This review first describes the systems-level effects of activating nAChRs in visual, somatosensory, and auditory cortex, and then describes, as far as possible, the underlying cellular and synaptic mechanisms. A related goal is to examine if sensory cortex can be considered a model system for cortex in general, because the use of sensory stimuli to activate neural circuits physiologically is helpful for understanding mechanisms of systems-level function and plasticity. A final goal is to highlight the emerging role of nAChRs in developing sensory cortex, and the adverse impact of early nicotine exposure on subsequent sensory-cognitive function.
Metherate
Raju
R
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA. rmethera@uci.edu
D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000502:physiology; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000502:physiology*; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D009538:Nicotine