Science Signaling Podcast: 23 August 2011
Huibert D. Mansvelder1 and
Annalisa M. VanHook2
1 Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands.
2 Web Editor, Science Signaling, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA.
Abstract:
This Podcast features a conversation with the senior author of a Report published in the 12 August 2011 issue of Science. Huibert Mansvelder discusses his group’s finding that a specific form of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is required in the prelimbic area of the medial prefrontal cortex for attentional focus in mice. Acetylcholine signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex is also involved in attention in humans, and disruption of cholinergic activity is associated with age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. These findings identify the β2 subunit of the acetylcholine receptor as a potential target for developing specific activators of cholinergic signaling for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
