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大脑前部的前额叶皮质(PFC)。这一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大脑的执行区来阐述反应。由于神经化学物质，如多巴胺(DA)和乙酰胆碱(ACh)，神经元可以相互通信，这些化学物质在调节PFC活动和注意力和工作记忆等认知功能方面发挥着积极作用。我们最近研究了PFC内的这些神经元系统的相互连接。目前的研究计划致力于分析这两种神经递质和来自PFC的神经元之间的空间相互作用，这些神经元与其他大脑区域进行通信，以组织对外部刺激的反应。ACh或DA激活的神经元的数量、类型和位置将通过共聚焦显微镜进行量化。使用抑制或兴奋多巴胺或乙酰胆碱系统的不同药物，我们将估计这些神经化学物质在PFC神经元活动中的具体贡献。在第二步中，我们将测量不同激活条件下它们在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，并更好地理解认知和行为的神经生物学机制。这将有助于开发药物策略，以减轻认知功能障碍，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.