title: Nicotinic ACh receptors as therapeutic targets in CNS disorders.
abstract: The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) can regulate neuronal excitability by acting on the cys-loop cation-conducting ligand-gated nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) channels. These receptors are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system (CNS), being expressed on neurons and non-neuronal cells, where they participate in a variety of physiological responses such as anxiety, the central processing of pain, food intake, nicotine seeking behavior, and cognitive functions. In the mammalian brain, nine different subunits have been found thus far, which assemble into pentameric complexes with much subunit diversity; however, the α7 and α4β2 subtypes predominate in the CNS. Neuronal nAChR dysfunction is involved in the pathophysiology of many neurological disorders. Here we will briefly discuss the functional makeup and expression of the nAChRs in mammalian brain, and their role as targets in neurodegenerative diseases (in particular Alzheimer's disease, AD), neurodevelopmental disorders (in particular autism and schizophrenia), and neuropathic pain.
authors: Department of Neurology, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA.
authors: Kelly T
authors: KT
authors: Dineley
authors: Chukchi Campus, Department of Bioscience, College of Rural and Community Development, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 297, Kotzebue, AK 99752-0297, USA.
authors: Anshul A
authors: AA
authors: Pandya
authors: Laboratory of Neurobiology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NIEHS/NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), F2-08, P.O. Box 12233, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. Electronic address: yakel@niehs.nih.gov.
authors: Jerrel L
authors: JL
authors: Yakel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000378:metabolism*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic
keywords: cys-loop receptor; nAChR; α4β2 receptor; α7 receptor
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