Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions worldwide. One of the leading hypotheses for the underlying cause of AD is a reduction in nicotinic receptor levels in the brain. Among the nicotinic receptors, the alpha-7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) has received particular attention due to its involvement in cognitive function.α7nAChR is a ligand-gated ion channel that is primarily found in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, areas of the brain responsible for learning, memory, and attention. Studies have shown that α7nAChR dysfunction is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of AD. The receptor is involved in regulating amyloidbeta (Aβ) production, a hallmark of AD pathology. Many drugs have been investigated as α7nAChR agonists or allosteric modulators to improve cognitive deficits in AD. Clinical studies have shown promising results with α7nAChR agonists, including improved memory and cognitive function. Although several studies have shown the significance of the α7 nAChR in AD, little is known about its function in AD pathogenesis. As a result, in this review, we have outlined the basic information of the α7 nAChR's structure, functions, cellular responses to its activation, and its role in AD's pathogenesis.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527322666230627123426 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
The regulatory action of acetylcholine and its receptors on B4 and C4 leukotriene formation in the porcine endometrium after experimental inflammogenic infection.
J Vet Res
December 2024
Division of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland.
Introduction: Endometritis is a very common pathology in animals which changes endometrial leukotriene (LT) formation and muscarinic 2 and 3 receptor subtypes (M2R/M3R) and α-7 nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor (α-7 nAChR) expression patterns. With the relationship between ACh, its receptors and LT production remaining unclear, the role of M2R, M3R and α-7 nAChR in action of ACh on the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), LTA4 hydrolase (LTAH) and LTC4 synthase (LTCS) protein abundances in the inflamed porcine endometrium and on the tissue secretion of LTB4 and LTC4 were studied.
Material And Methods: On day three of the oestrous cycle in gilts aged 7-8 months, 50 mL of either saline solution (control group, n = 5) or an suspension at 10 colony-forming units/mL ( group, n = 5), was injected into each uterine horn.
Early effects of α7nAChR regulation on maxillary expansion in mice : A study on osteogenesis and inflammatory factors.
J Orofac Orthop
December 2024
Department of Orthodontics, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100050, Beijing, China.
Purpose: We aimed to investigate early effects of regulating alpha‑7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) agonists and antagonists on maxillary expansion in mice.
Methods: We allocated 36 six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice into three group: 1) expansion alone, 2) expansion plus the α7nAChR-specific agonist 3‑(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)-anabaseine dihydrochloride (GTS-21), and 3) expansion plus alpha-bungarotoxin (α-BTX), a competitive antagonist of α7nAChR. The groups were daily injected with saline, GTS-21 (4 mg/kg/day) or α‑BTX (1 mg/kg/day), respectively, from days 0-7.
A Novel 14mer Peptide Inhibits Autophagic Flux via Selective Activation of the mTORC1 Signalling Pathway: Implications for Alzheimer's Disease.
Int J Mol Sci
November 2024
Neuro-Bio Ltd., Building F5, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK.
During development, a 14mer peptide, T14, modulates cell growth via the α-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). However, this process could become excitotoxic in the context of the adult brain, leading to pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent work shows that T14 acts selectively via the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDelayed Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Alzheimer's Disease by Using Poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine)-Functionalized Nanoprobes.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces
December 2024
College of Materials Science and Engineering, and College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, commonly affecting the aged, with pathophysiological changes presenting 15 to 20 years before clinical symptoms. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial in effectively slowing the progression of AD. In the current study, poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC)-functionalized NaGdF nanoparticles (NaGdF-PMPC) were developed as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents for targeting alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChRs) in AD mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSymmetry-adapted Markov state models of closing, opening, and desensitizing in α 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
Nat Commun
October 2024
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are homopentameric ligand-gated ion channels with critical roles in the nervous system. Recent studies have resolved and functionally annotated closed, open, and desensitized states of these receptors, providing insight into ion permeation and lipid binding. However, the process by which α7 nAChRs transition between states remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!