title: Nicotinic receptors, memory, and hippocampus.
abstract: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) modulate the neurobiological processes underlying hippocampal learning and memory. In addition, nicotine's ability to desensitize and upregulate certain nAChRs may alter hippocampus-dependent memory processes. Numerous studies have examined the effects of nicotine on hippocampus-dependent learning, as well as the roles of low- and high-affinity nAChRs in mediating nicotine's effects on hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. These studies suggested that while acute nicotine generally acts as a cognitive enhancer for hippocampus-dependent learning, withdrawal from chronic nicotine results in deficits in hippocampus-dependent memory. Furthermore, these studies demonstrated that low- and high-affinity nAChRs functionally differ in their involvement in nicotine's effects on hippocampus-dependent learning. In the present chapter, we reviewed studies using systemic or local injections of acute or chronic nicotine, nAChR subunit agonists or antagonists; genetically modified mice; and molecular biological techniques to characterize the effects of nicotine on hippocampus-dependent learning.
authors: Temple University, 1701 N. 13th St, Weiss Hall, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA.
authors: Munir Gunes
authors: MG
authors: Kutlu
authors: Thomas J
authors: TJ
authors: Gould
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D009538:Nicotine