α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in memory processing

Information storage in the brain involves different memory types and stages that are processed by several brain regions. Cholinergic pathways through acetylcholine receptors actively participate on memory modulation, and their disfunction is associated with cognitive decline in several neurological disorders. During the last decade, the role of alpha 7 subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in different memory stages has been studied. However, the information about their role in memory processing is still scarce. In this review, we attempt to identify brain areas where alpha 7 nicotinic receptors have an essential role in different memory types and stages. In addition, we discuss recent work implicating-or not-alpha 7 nicotinic receptors as promising pharmacological targets for memory impairment associated with neurological disorders.

Automated summary

Information storage in the brain involves different memory types and stages, and cholinergic pathways through acetylcholine receptors play an active role in memory modulation. The alpha 7 subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors has been studied in relation to memory processing, but there is still limited information available. This review aims to identify the brain regions where alpha 7 nicotinic receptors are essential for different memory types and stages, and discuss their potential as pharmacological targets for memory impairment in neurological disorders.