Alpha7 nicotonic receptor actions on GABAergic synapses

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Nicotine derived from tobacco acts on receptors in the brain, which are normally activated by the endogenous neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Although nicotine abuse is an important cause of premature death and disease, activation of nicotinic receptors enhances cognitive performance. How it does so is not known. We have recently discovered a powerful effect of activation of a subtype of nicotinic receptors on inhibitory transmission in a subset of neurons in the brain. We propose to explore the underlying mechanisms, and to investigate the consequences of this phenomenon for network function.