Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are commonly found in the brain, where they not only mediate smoking addiction, but are involved in the control of many other functions such as learning, memory and various behaviours. There are many different types of nicotinic receptors in the mammalian brain: while some are commonly present in many neuronal populations, others are rare and only found in specific neurons. Just as each type of neuron is different and performs different functions in the brain, the nicotinic receptors found in these neurons also have certain functional specializations. In order to better understand this specialization and use it to treat neurological diseases, we need precise information about the occurrence of nicotinic receptors in defined neuronal populations. In our review study, we therefore attempted to summarize the current understanding of which types of neurons in the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex and striatum, express nicotinic receptors and their specific subtypes. Although there is a relatively large number of studies on this topic, on closer inspection these studies often differ in terms of the techniques used and the experimental models, and their conclusions are therefore not always in complete agreement. In our review study, we have so far attempted to summarize the available literature on this topic, which may serve as a starting point for future systematic mapping of nicotinic receptor expression. Indeed, only a reliable and accurate knowledge of nicotinic receptor localization will allow us to predict the possible effects of potential drugs acting on nicotinic receptors.
Abbondanza A, Urushadze A, Alves-Barboza AR, Janickova H.: Expression and function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in specific neuronal populations: Focus on striatal and prefrontal circuits. Pharmacol Res. 2024, 204: 107190. DOI
