Smoking upregulates α4ß2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in brainstem and cerebellum
U Wüllner, U Wüllner, D Gündisch, H Herzog, M Minnerop, A Joe, M Warnecke, F Jessen, C Schütz, M Reinhardt, T Klockgether, J Schmaljohann · Klinische Neurophysiologie · 2006 · Heft 03
Bibliografische Angaben
Zusammenfassung
Improved understanding of the effects of nicotine on CNS functions is highly desirable from medical and economic points of view. Nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), ligand-gated ion channels assembled from at least 12 distinct subunits (α2– α10 and b 2–b4). The predominant nAChR in the CNS is the (α4b2)-type. Activation of (α4*) nAChR is sufficient for nicotine induced reward, tolerance and sensitisation. The (α4) nAChR subunit appears to be of critical importance in memory and cognition in normal ageing and Alzheimer's disease. We investigated the status of α4ß2*nAChR in the CNS of 14 h…
