Cholinergic neurons regulation

A 100 years of research has established that a major function of AChE is to hydrolyze the ACh released by cholinergic neurons, regulating the course of neural transmission at synapses, motor endplates, and other effector sites. The reaction is multistep first is the formation of a reversible enzyme-substrate complex (EAX) second is the acetylation of the catalytic site of the enzyme (EA) and third is the hydrolysis of the enzyme-substrate complex yielding... 

The brain stem cholinergic neurons are essential for the regulation of sleep-wake cycles via projections to the thalamus. The cholinergic interneurons in the striatum modulate striatal GABAergic neurons by opposing the effects of dopamine. Increased cholinergic tone in Parkinson s disease and decreased cholinergic tone in patients treated with neuroleptics are examples of an imbalance of these two systems in the striatum (Cala-bresi et al., 2000). 

Whitaker-Azmitia PM, Murphy R, Azmitia EC S-100 protein is released from astroglial cells by stimulation of 5-HTj, receptors and regulates development of serotonin neurons. Brain Res 528 155-158, 1990 White P, Hiley C, Goodhardt MJ, et al Neocortical cholinergic neurons in elderly people. Lancet 1 668-670, 1977... 

FIGURE 12—12. Other cholinergic neurons in the brain are thought to be involved in brain functions other than memory. They include intemeurons in the striatum, which are involved in regulating motor movements, and those arising in the lateral tegmental area and projecting rostrally, caudally, and to the cerebellum with a wide variety of functions. 

Increased availability of acetylcholine compensates in part for degenerating cholinergic neurons in neocortex that regulate memory... 

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