Cholinergic and dopaminergic influence on the prefrontal cortex

参与认知功能和行为的主要结构是位于我们大脑前部的前额叶皮层（PFC）。该区域的神经元负责接收来自感觉脑区和记忆结构的所有信息，并通过将神经元流入发送到大脑的执行区来做出反应。神经元通过神经化学物质进行交流，如多巴胺（DA）和乙酰胆碱（ACh），它们在PFC活动和认知功能（如注意力和工作记忆）的调节中发挥积极作用。我们最近研究了这些神经元系统内的PFC的互连性。本研究计划追求这两个神经递质和PFC的神经元与其他脑区进行通信，以组织对外部刺激的反应之间的空间相互作用的分析。通过共聚焦显微镜定量ACh或DA激活的神经元的数量、类型和位置。使用不同的药物，抑制或兴奋多巴胺或乙酰胆碱系统，我们将估计这些神经化学物质在PFC神经元活动的具体贡献。在第二步中，我们将在不同的活化条件下测量它们在PFC中的浓度。这些研究将有助于表征神经元网络的相互作用，更好地理解认知和行为的神经生物学机制。这将有助于开发药理学策略，以减轻认知功能障碍，导致思维不足和退出社会活动。

The chief structure involved in cognitive functions and behavior is the prefrontal cortex (PFC), located in the front of our brain. Neurons of this region are in charge of receiving all the information from the sensory brain areas and memory strutures and elaborate a response by sending neuronal influxes to executive zones of the brain. Neurons communicate together thanks to neurochemicals, like dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh) which play an active role in the modulation of PFC activity and cognitive function like attention and working memory. We have recently examined these neuronal system interconnectivity within the PFC. The present research program pursuits this analysis of the spatial interaction between these two neurotransmitters and the neurons from the PFC that communicate with other brain regions to organize a response to external stimulations. The number, type and location of the neurons activated by ACh or DA will be quantified by confocal microscopy. Using different drugs that suppress or excite dopamine or acetylcholine systems, we will estimate the specific contribution of these neurochemicals in the PFC neuronal activity. In a second step we will measure their concentration in the PFC during different activation conditions. These studies will allow to characterized neurons networks interaction and better understand the neurobiological mechanisms of cognition and behavior. This will help to develop pharmacological strategies to alleviate cognitive dysfunction which results in deficient thinking and withdrawal from social activity.