α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the hippocampal circuit: taming complexity.

Ayland C Letsinger, Zhenglin Gu, Jerrel L Yakel

Journal: Trends in neurosciences 2022;45(2):145-157

PMID: 34916082

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Abstract

Cholinergic innervation of the hippocampus uses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) to coordinate neuronal circuit activity while simultaneously influencing the function of non-neuronal cell types. The α7 nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) subtype is highly expressed throughout the hippocampus, has the highest calcium permeability compared with other subtypes of nAChRs, and is of high therapeutic interest due to its association with a variety of neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we synthesize research describing α7 nAChR properties, function, and relationship to cognitive dysfunction within the hippocampal circuit and highlight approaches to help improve therapeutic development.

Address: Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, P.O. Box 12233, Durham, NC 27709, USA.; Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, P.O. Box 12233, Durham, NC 27709, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.11.006

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MeSH Terms: Acetylcholine, Hippocampus, Humans, Neurons, Receptors, Nicotinic, alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor