Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Signaling in Neuroprotection

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are typical ligand-gated ion channels
that evoke cation-selective currents across the plasma membrane. On exposure to
agonists, nAChR exists in an active, open state, and elicits rapid depolarization of
neurons. In addition to acute ionic responses, it has been widely recognized that
nAChRs mediate long-term modification of cell functions. Persistent stimulation of
nAChRs for a longer period occurs during habitual tobacco smoking as well as during acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Longterm tobacco smoking, nicotine application, or exposure to AChE inhibitors induces
upregulation of nAChRs and, in most cases, facilitates cellular responses.
[Singapore: 2018]

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