Topic: alpha4 nAChR

Progression of Alzheimer’s disease is accompanied by the dysfunction of the cholinergic system and massive loss of cholinergic neurons containing the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). NAChR agonists protect neuronal cells against amyloid toxicity, eliminate the senile plaques, and improve learning and memory of transgenic mice. Moreover, nAChRs antagonists, that block the binding of Abeta to the receptor, inhibit Abeta-induced tau protein phosphorylation in neuronal cells. It means that the toxicity of Aβ is mediated through a direct interaction between Abeta and nAChRs. The most abun