Cholinergic Signaling Dynamics and Cognitive Control of Attention
The central cholinergic system is one of the most important modulator neurotransmitter system implicated in diverse behavioral processes. Activation of the basal forebrain cortical cholinergic input system represents a critical step in cortical informatio
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Contents 1 Introduction 2 Cortical ACh and Attentional Performance 3 Prefrontal Cholinergic Mechanisms of Signal Detection and Attentional Control 3.1 Phasic ACh Release Mediates Cue Detection 3.2 Top-Down Control of Attention and Cholinergic Neuromodulation 4 Cellular Regulation of Cholinergic Signaling Modes 4.1 High-Affinity Choline Transporters (CHTs) 4.2 nAChRs 4.3 mAChRs 5 Sex Differences and the Cholinergic Mediation of Attention 5.1 Neurochemical Sex Differences 5.2 Behavioral Sex Differences 6 Conclusions References
Abstract The central cholinergic system is one of the most important modulator neurotransmitter system implicated in diverse behavioral processes. Activation of the basal forebrain cortical cholinergic input system represents a critical step in cortical information processing. This chapter explores recent developments illustrating cortical cholinergic transmission mediate defined cognitive operations, which is contrary to the traditional view that acetylcholine acts as a slowly acting neuromodulator that influences arousal cortex-wide. Specifically, we review the evidence that phasic cholinergic signaling in the prefrontal cortex is a causal mediator of signal detection. In addition, studies that support the neuromodulatory role of cholinergic inputs in top-down attentional control are summarized. Finally, we review new findings that reveal sex differences and hormonal regulation of the cholinergic-attention system.
V. Parikh (*) and D. A. Bangasser Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA e-mail: [email protected] © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 Curr Topics Behav Neurosci https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2020_133
V. Parikh and D. A. Bangasser
Keywords Acetylcholine · Attention · Muscarinic receptors · Nicotinic receptors · Sex differences
1 Introduction Cholinergic inputs to the entire cortical mantle originate in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (nBM), substantia innominata (SI), the horizontal nucleus of the diagonal band (HDB), and the preoptic nucleus (collectively termed basal forebrain, BF). The BF corticopetal cholinergic system constitutes the most rostral component of neuromodulatory input systems, and its anatomical organization reflects its ability to orchestrate cortical information processing. Of the many different behavioral and cognitive processes that relate to the central cholinergic system, fundamental aspects of attention are closely linked to the activity of cortical cholinergic inputs (Ballinger et al. 2016; Sarter et al. 2005, 2016). Therefore, there is considerable interest in the dynamics of cortical cholinergic signaling and cholinergic regulation of attentional processes and capacities and developing procholinergic therapies to treat cognitive deficits in psychiatric and neurological disorders. Historically, the organization of the BF cortical projection system was described as a diffuse and undifferentiated projection system with widespread cortical innervation, which corresponds to the notion that acetylcholine
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