Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors

Neuronal nicotinic receptors are key molecules for signal transduction in a number of neuronal pathways. They are widely distributed in the brain and are known to be involved in cognitive tasks, including learning and memory, in smoking addiction and in several brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's dementias, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. This book provides a comprehensive review of the field, starting with a historical perspective and dealing with the molecular structure of these receptors, their biophysical and pharmacological properties, their distribution in central and peripheral nervous systems, and their major involvement in brain functions. Particular emphasis is paid to drugs (both new and old) that are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving neuronal nicotinic receptors. Finally, the relevance of these receptors in smoking addiction is carefully evaluated, together with future trends and the latest results.

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt
Section I: Introduction to Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors.- 1 The History of the Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors.- 2 Distribution of Cholinergic Neurons in the Mammalian Brain with Special Reference to their Relationship with Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors.- Section II: Genes, Structure, and Distribution of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors.- 3 Gene Structure and Transcriptional Regulation of the Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors.- 4 Transcriptional Regulation of Neuronal nAChR Subunit Genes.- 5 Contributions of Studies of the Nicotinic Receptor from Muscle to Defining Structural and Functional Properties of Ligand-Gated Ion Channels.- 6 The Structures of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors.- 7 The Distribution of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors.- 8 Presynaptic Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors: Pharmacology, Heterogeneity, and Cellular Mechanisms.- 9 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Development and Aging.- 10 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Ganglionic Transmission.- Section III: Functional Properties.- 11 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: From Biophysical Properties to Human Diseases.- 12 The Functional Diversity of Nicotinic Receptors in the Nervous System: Perspectives on Receptor Subtypes and Receptor Specialization.- 13 Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors and Synaptic Transmission in the Mammalian Central Nervous System.- 14 Properties of Heterologously and Lipid Bilayer Reconstituted Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors.- 15 Comparison of Native and Recombinant Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors: Problems of Measurement and Expression.- Section IV: Pharmacological Properties.- 16 Agonists and Antagonists of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors.- 17 Toxin Antagonists of the Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor.- 18 Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Non-neuronal Cells, Expression and Renaturation of Ligand Binding Domain, and Modulatory Control by Allosterically Acting Ligands.- 19 Insect Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: Genes, Structure, Physiological and Pharmacological Properties.- Section V: The Role of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Neuronal Functions.- 20 Knockout Mice as Animal Models for Studying Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function.- 21 Noninvasive Exploration of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors In Vivo.- 22 Genetic Regulation of Nicotine-Related Behaviors and Brain Nicotinic Receptors.- 23 The Role of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Cognitive function.- 24 Behavioural Pharmacology and Neurobiology of Nicotine Reward and Dependence.- 25 Involvement of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors In Disease.- 26 Clinical Aspects of Nicotinic Agents: Therapeutic Applications in Central Nervous System Disorders.- References.- References.- References.- References.- References.- References.- References.