Abstract
The central cholinergic system and muscarinic cholinergic receptor (mR) activation have long been associated with cognitive function. And degeneration of the cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF) neurons is a pronounced hallmark of Alzheimers Disease (AD). However, CBF immunolesions as animal models of AD cholinergic degeneration have not replicated the robust memory deficits of nonselective excitotoxic lesions. The less studied cholinergic projections to the amygdala, which are affected in AD but unaffected by immunolesions, may be more important in memory storage than previously suspected. The sparing of these amygdalopetal projections may help explain the dissociation between excitotoxic and immunotoxic CBF lesions. The CBF projections to cortex have since been shown to be important for attentional processes, which may contribute indirectly to memory. Nonetheless, there are conditions under which their selective ablation produces clear memory deficits. For example, memory enhancement induced by posttraining basolateral amygdalar activation is ineffective when corticopetal cholinergic projections are lesioned. Moreover, posttraining cholinergic agonism enhances long-term memory. Such findings suggest that cholinergic innervation of the cortex may be particularly important during modulation of memory storage for stressful and / or arousing events. In concordance, mR agonism facilitates neuronal plasticity and can induce expression of memory-associated immediate early genes. The present article reviews the behavior, physiology and inducible genetic expression literatures which together suggest that the early CBF lesion data were not a red herring but rather that CBF projections not only to cortex but also to the amygdala may in fact have important neuromodulatory functions in memory consolidation processes.
Keywords: acetylcholine, nucleus basalis magnocellularis, basal forebrain, limbic
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Muscarinic Cholinergic Contribution to Memory Consolidation: With Attention to Involvement of the Basolateral Amygdala
Volume: 11 Issue: 8
Author(s): A. E. Power
Affiliation:
Keywords: acetylcholine, nucleus basalis magnocellularis, basal forebrain, limbic
Abstract: The central cholinergic system and muscarinic cholinergic receptor (mR) activation have long been associated with cognitive function. And degeneration of the cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF) neurons is a pronounced hallmark of Alzheimers Disease (AD). However, CBF immunolesions as animal models of AD cholinergic degeneration have not replicated the robust memory deficits of nonselective excitotoxic lesions. The less studied cholinergic projections to the amygdala, which are affected in AD but unaffected by immunolesions, may be more important in memory storage than previously suspected. The sparing of these amygdalopetal projections may help explain the dissociation between excitotoxic and immunotoxic CBF lesions. The CBF projections to cortex have since been shown to be important for attentional processes, which may contribute indirectly to memory. Nonetheless, there are conditions under which their selective ablation produces clear memory deficits. For example, memory enhancement induced by posttraining basolateral amygdalar activation is ineffective when corticopetal cholinergic projections are lesioned. Moreover, posttraining cholinergic agonism enhances long-term memory. Such findings suggest that cholinergic innervation of the cortex may be particularly important during modulation of memory storage for stressful and / or arousing events. In concordance, mR agonism facilitates neuronal plasticity and can induce expression of memory-associated immediate early genes. The present article reviews the behavior, physiology and inducible genetic expression literatures which together suggest that the early CBF lesion data were not a red herring but rather that CBF projections not only to cortex but also to the amygdala may in fact have important neuromodulatory functions in memory consolidation processes.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Power E. A., Muscarinic Cholinergic Contribution to Memory Consolidation: With Attention to Involvement of the Basolateral Amygdala, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2004; 11 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867043455558
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867043455558 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Ca<sub>v</sub>1.3 Channels as Key Regulators of Neuron-Like Firings and Catecholamine Release in Chromaffin Cells
Current Molecular Pharmacology Neuroprotective Effects of Intravenous Anesthetics: A New Critical Perspective
Current Pharmaceutical Design Physical Activity Level and Motor Aptitude: Motor Domains and Identification Capacity of Brazilian Insufficiently Active Older Adults
Current Aging Science Time Perception Distortion in Neuropsychiatric and Neurological Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Endocannabinoids as Regulators of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP)Channels: a Further Opportunity to Develop New Endocannabinoid-Based Therapeutic Drugs
Current Medicinal Chemistry Review of Treatment for Cocaine Dependence
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Sphingosine Kinases Signalling in Carcinogenesis
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Model for Designing HIV/AIDS Vaccines
Current HIV Research Recent Advances in Image-Based Stem-Cell Labeling and Tracking, and Scaffold-Based Organ Development in Cardiovascular Disease
Recent Patents on Medical Imaging Neurobiochemical Disturbances in Psychosis and their Implications for Therapeutic Intervention
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Complex: One, Two or Multiple Drug Targets?
Current Drug Targets Treating the Cognitive Deficits of Schizophrenia with Alpha4Beta2 Neuronal Nicotinic Receptor Agonists
Current Pharmaceutical Design Early Development of Symptomatic Drugs in AD: A Systematic Review of the Use of Biomarkers
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Rodent Models
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Anti-Apoptotic Actions of Insulin-Like Growth Factors: Lessons from Development and Implications in Neoplastic Cell Transformation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Antimalarial Drugs in Pregnancy: A Review
Current Drug Safety Huntingtons Disease: The Value of Transcranial Meganetic Stimulation
Current Medicinal Chemistry Translational Challenge Models in Support of Efficacy Studies: Neurobehavioral and Cognitive Changes Induced by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Healthy Volunteers
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Treating Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Recent Advances in Inner Ear Drug Delivery
Drug Delivery Letters Nicotinic Receptors and the Treatment of Attentional and Cognitive Deficits in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Focus on the α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor as a Promising Drug Target for Schizophrenia
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry