Drug effect on cholinergic mechanisms in the cerebral cortex.

Investigations aimed to define the components of the cholinergic network in the cerebral cortex and their functional modifications under the effect of a number of psychotropic drugs are described. By measuring acetylcholine levels and acetylcholine output from the cerebral cortex in cats and rats with various subcortical lesions, at least two systems of cholinergic neurons ascending to the cortex were demonstrated. One of the systems originates from the septum and its activity is affected by drugs acting on dopaminergic receptors.