Sarter Martin
University of Michigan, Department of Psychology, 4030 East Hall, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
Curr Opin Behav Sci. 2015 Aug;4:22-26. doi: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2015.01.004. Epub 2015 Jan 15.
Cholinergic mechanisms have long been considered a promising target for enhancing cognitive functions. Two distinct yet interacting components of cholinergic activity have been proposed to mediate specific cognitive functions. Transient spikes in cholinergic activity mediate the detection of cues in situations involving attentional mode shifts. More slowly changing cholinergic neuromodulation of cortical circuitry regulates task compliance specifically in response to performance challenges. Increases in cholinergic neuromodulation enhances the generation of cholinergic transients via stimulation of α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Stimulation of these receptors stabilizes attentional performance and increases cue detection rates. Adjunctive treatment with agonists or modulators at these receptors is predicted to benefit unstable attentional performance and low cue detection rates that are common to several brain disorders.
长期以来,胆碱能机制一直被认为是增强认知功能的一个有前景的靶点。胆碱能活动有两个不同但相互作用的组成部分,它们被认为介导特定的认知功能。胆碱能活动中的短暂峰值介导了在涉及注意力模式转换的情况下对线索的检测。胆碱能对皮质回路的更缓慢变化的神经调节则专门在应对性能挑战时调节任务依从性。胆碱能神经调节的增加通过刺激α4β2*烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体增强胆碱能瞬变的产生。刺激这些受体会稳定注意力表现并提高线索检测率。预计用这些受体的激动剂或调节剂进行辅助治疗将有益于几种脑部疾病常见的不稳定注意力表现和低线索检测率。