Mihailescu S, Drucker-Colín R
Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, and, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México, D.F., Mexico.
Arch Med Res. 2000 Mar-Apr;31(2):131-44. doi: 10.1016/s0188-4409(99)00087-9.
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) represent a large family of ligand-gated cation channels with diverse structures and properties. In contrast to the muscular nAChRs, the physiological functions of neuronal nAChRs are not well defined to date. Behavioral studies indicate that brain nAChRs participate in complex functions such as attention, memory, and cognition, whereas clinical data suggest their involvement in the pathogenesis of certain neuropsychiatric disorders (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, Tourette's syndrome, schizophrenia, depression, etc.). For the majority of these disorders, the use of nAChRs' agonists may represent either a prophylactic (especially for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases) or a symptomatic treatment. The possible mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects as well as the characteristics and potential therapeutic use of new, subtype-selective nAChRs agonists are presented.
神经元烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体（nAChRs）是一个由配体门控阳离子通道组成的大家族，具有多样的结构和特性。与肌肉型nAChRs不同，神经元nAChRs的生理功能迄今尚未完全明确。行为学研究表明，脑内nAChRs参与诸如注意力、记忆和认知等复杂功能，而临床数据提示它们与某些神经精神疾病（阿尔茨海默病、帕金森病、妥瑞氏综合征、精神分裂症、抑郁症等）的发病机制有关。对于大多数这些疾病，使用nAChRs激动剂可能代表一种预防性治疗（尤其是针对阿尔茨海默病和帕金森病）或对症治疗。本文介绍了这些有益作用的潜在机制以及新型、亚型选择性nAChRs激动剂的特性和潜在治疗用途。
