Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Key targets for attenuating neurodegenerative diseases

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are master regulators of immune functions via the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and are expressed in microglia, the brain's resident immune cells. There is an extensive dialogue between the neurons and the glial cells around them from which microglia are tasked with monitoring, nurturing, and defending their microenvironment. Dysregulation of any of these processes can have devastating and long-lasting consequences involving microglia-mediated neuroinflammation associated with neurodegen-erative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease, amongst others. Disease-associated microglia acquire a distinguishing phenotype that emphasizes scavenging and defence functions while nurturing and repairing functions become muted. Attempts to resolve this critical imbalance remain a key focus of research. Furthermore, cholinergic modulation of neuroinflammation represents a promising avenue for treatment.

Automated summary

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed in microglia play a crucial role in regulating immune functions through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Dysregulation of this pathway can lead to neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Disease-associated microglia exhibit an altered phenotype characterized by enhanced defense functions and impaired nurturing and repairing functions. Cholinergic modulation of neuroinflammation holds promise as a potential treatment avenue.