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Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
Research Guide
What is Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study?
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors study is the investigation of ligand-gated ion channels that mediate fast synaptic transmission in response to acetylcholine, encompassing their molecular structure, neuronal signaling, allosteric modulation, and roles in cognitive processes and diseases such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
This field includes 47,286 published works on the structure and function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, with a focus on crystal structures, ion channel activity, and the cholinergic system. Research examines their involvement in brain reward areas, neuronal signaling mechanisms, and allosteric modulation. Studies connect these receptors to cognitive function and pathologies like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Crystal Structures
This sub-topic covers X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM structures of nAChRs, including α4β2 and muscle-type receptors. Researchers analyze ligand binding sites and conformational changes.
Allosteric Modulation of Nicotinic Receptors
This sub-topic examines positive and negative allosteric modulators of nAChRs, their binding mechanisms, and functional impacts. Researchers study subtype selectivity and therapeutic potential.
Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors in Cognitive Function
This sub-topic explores α7 and α4β2 nAChRs in attention, memory, and executive function, using pharmacological and genetic models. Researchers investigate deficits in Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.
Nicotinic Receptors in Brain Reward Pathways
This sub-topic focuses on β2 subunit-containing nAChRs in the ventral tegmental area and nicotine reinforcement. Researchers study addiction mechanisms and smoking cessation strategies.
Ion Channel Gating Mechanisms in nAChRs
This sub-topic investigates ligand-induced conformational changes, conductance states, and desensitization in nAChR ion channels. Researchers use electrophysiology and computational modeling.
Why It Matters
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors influence cognitive function and age-related memory disturbances, as evidenced by biochemical, electrophysiological, and pharmacological data linking cholinergic dysfunction to geriatric memory issues (Bartus et al., 1982). These receptors contribute to the neurocircuitry of addiction through interactions in brain reward areas (Koob and Volkow, 2009). Standardized nomenclature for related voltage-gated ion channels supports pharmacological targeting in diseases involving cholinergic systems (Catterall et al., 2003).
Reading Guide
Where to Start
'International Union of Pharmacology: Approaches to the Nomenclature of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels' by Catterall et al. (2003), as it provides foundational pharmacological classification essential for understanding nicotinic acetylcholine receptors within broader ion channel research.
Key Papers Explained
Catterall et al. (2003) in 'International Union of Pharmacology: Approaches to the Nomenclature of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels' establishes nomenclature for ion channels relevant to nicotinic receptors. Bartus et al. (1982) in 'The Cholinergic Hypothesis of Geriatric Memory Dysfunction' links cholinergic systems, including nicotinic receptors, to memory loss. Koob and Volkow (2009) in 'Neurocircuitry of Addiction' builds on this by detailing nicotinic roles in reward circuitry, connecting cognitive and addictive aspects.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Research persists on nicotinic acetylcholine receptor crystal structures and allosteric modulation for cognitive function, with no recent preprints or news in the last 12 months indicating steady focus on established mechanisms in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | International Union of Pharmacology: Approaches to the Nomencl... | 2003 | Pharmacological Reviews | 7.1K | ✕ |
| 2 | The Cholinergic Hypothesis of Geriatric Memory Dysfunction | 1982 | Science | 5.5K | ✕ |
| 3 | Neurocircuitry of Addiction | 2009 | Neuropsychopharmacology | 5.1K | ✓ |
| 4 | Cloned Glutamate Receptors | 1994 | Annual Review of Neuro... | 4.0K | ✕ |
| 5 | Glutamate receptor ion channels | 2005 | Current Opinion in Neu... | 3.7K | ✓ |
| 6 | The inflammatory reflex | 2002 | Nature | 3.5K | ✕ |
| 7 | Flunarizine in Prophylaxis of Childhood Migraine: A Double-Bli... | 1988 | Cephalalgia | 3.5K | ✕ |
| 8 | Color test for detection of free terminal amino groups in the ... | 1970 | Analytical Biochemistry | 3.5K | ✕ |
| 9 | Glutamate Receptor Ion Channels: Structure, Regulation, and Fu... | 2010 | Pharmacological Reviews | 3.4K | ✓ |
| 10 | A METHOD FOR DETERMINING LOSS OF PAIN SENSATION | 1941 | Journal of Pharmacolog... | 3.2K | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What role do nicotinic acetylcholine receptors play in memory dysfunction?
Cholinergic dysfunction contributes to age-related memory disturbances, supported by biochemical, electrophysiological, and pharmacological evidence. Bartus et al. (1982) reviewed this in 'The Cholinergic Hypothesis of Geriatric Memory Dysfunction,' resolving controversies and clarifying misconceptions about the cholinergic system's impact on geriatric memory.
How are nicotinic acetylcholine receptors linked to addiction?
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors operate within the neurocircuitry of addiction, particularly in brain reward areas. Koob and Volkow (2009) detailed this in 'Neurocircuitry of Addiction,' highlighting their role in the cholinergic system's influence on reward processing and addictive behaviors.
What is the nomenclature for ion channels related to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors?
The International Union of Pharmacology provides standardized approaches to nomenclature for voltage-gated ion channels, which intersect with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor studies. Catterall et al. (2003) outlined these in 'International Union of Pharmacology: Approaches to the Nomenclature of Voltage-Gated Ion Channels,' aiding precise pharmacological classification.
Why study allosteric modulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors?
Allosteric modulation regulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function in neuronal signaling and cognitive processes. This cluster of 47,286 papers emphasizes modulation's impact on ion channel activity and cholinergic transmission in conditions like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
What is the current scale of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors research?
The field comprises 47,286 works focused on receptor structure, function, and disease roles. Growth data over the past 5 years is not available, but topics include crystal structures and brain reward mechanisms.
Open Research Questions
- ? How do allosteric modulators precisely alter nicotinic acetylcholine receptor conformations in brain reward areas to influence addiction vulnerability?
- ? What specific structural features of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors underlie their impaired signaling in schizophrenia pathogenesis?
- ? In what ways do nicotinic acetylcholine receptors interact with the cholinergic system to drive cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease?
- ? How can crystal structure data of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors inform targeted therapies for neuronal ion channel disorders?
Recent Trends
The field maintains 47,286 works with no specified 5-year growth rate; top-cited papers from 1982-2009, such as Bartus et al. on cholinergic memory hypotheses and Koob and Volkow (2009) on addiction neurocircuitry, continue to dominate citations, reflecting sustained emphasis on cholinergic roles without new preprints or news in the last 12 months.
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