烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体在认知功能中的作用

Role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in cognitive function

烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体(nAChR)是化学(配体)门控的离子通道蛋白,属于半胱氨酸环受体家族,广泛分布于中枢和周围神经系统中。中枢nAChR参与许多复杂的功能,如:注意、学习、觉醒和认知等。越来越多的研究表明,中枢nAChR在认知功能活动中发挥了重要的作用。临床资料提示,nAChR与一些认知功能障碍性疾病的发病机制有关,如:阿尔茨海默病(AD)、帕金森氏病(PD)以及癫痫等。

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors （nAChR） are the ligand-gated ion-channels and are the the Cys-loop receptors. They are widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system. It is well documented that the central nAChR participate in complex functions, such as attention, learning, arousal and cognition. Clinical data suggested their involvement in the pathogenesis of several cognition disorders, for example Alzheimer＇ s disease （AD） , Parkinson＇ s disease （PD） and epilepsy. Here, we reviewed some of the latest advances about the sort, structure, distribution of nAChR and the role of central nAChR in cognitive function.