Nicotinic mechanisms influencing synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed throughout the hippocampus, and nicotinic signaling plays an important role in neuronal function. In the context of learning and memory related behaviors associated with hippocampal function, a potentially significant feature of nAChR activity is the impact it has on synaptic plasticity. Synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons has long been considered a contributing cellular mechanism of learning and memory. These same kinds of cellular mechanisms are a factor in the development of nicotine addiction. Nicotinic signaling has been demonstrated by in vitro studies to affect synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons via multiple steps, and the signaling has also been shown to evoke synaptic plasticity in vivo. This review focuses on the nAChRs subtypes that contribute to hippocampal synaptic plasticity at the cellular and circuit level. It also considers nicotinic influences over long-term changes in the hippocampus that may contribute to addiction.
Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Andon Nicholas
AN
Placzek
Tao A
TA
Zhang
John Anthony
JA
Dani
D000818:Animals; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D009538:Nicotine