Neurotransmitter Interactions and Cognitive Function

✍ Scribed by Roger W. Russell (auth.), Edward D. Levin, Michael W. Decker, Larry L. Butcher (eds.)

• Publisher: Birkhäuser Basel
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 375
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

JAMES L. MCGAUGH Understanding of the nature and functions of neurotransmitter systems in the brain has increased enormously in recent decades. Lack of knowledge required us, not too long ago, to use the adjective "putative" when discussing transmitters. Such caution is no longer essential (at least for a number of transmitters). Impressive progress has been achieved in understanding the pharmacology, biochemistry and anatomy of transmitter systems. There has, however, been relatively less progress in understanding the functioning of brain transmitters in regulating and mediating behavior. A simple and certainly correct explanation for this is, of course, that understanding of neurotransmitter functions requires prior detailed knowledge of basic pharmacology, biochemistry and anatomy. Beyond that, it now seems likely that progress in understanding the functions of brain neurotransmitters will proceed only as we examine the interactions of neurotransmitter systems in regulating behavioral functions. This premise is, of course, suggested by the findings of studies of the chemical neuroanatomy of the brain: Neurotransmitter systems are influenced by other neurotransmitter systems and, in tum, influence the same as well as other systems. No system works alone. The chapters in this book explicitly examine the interactions of neurotransmitter systems involved in the regulation of cognitive processes. The facts and interpretations offered provide compelling support for the premise that cognitive processes are orchestrated by interactions among neurotransmitter systems. And, they offer promise that understanding of such interactions will be of critical importance in the develop­ ment of treatments for brain diseases affecting cognitive functioning.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Matter....Pages i-xiv
Interactions among Neurotransmitters: Their Importance to the “Integrated Organism”....Pages 1-14
The Cholinergic Basal Forebrain and its Telencephalic Targets: Interrelations and Implications for Cognitive Function....Pages 15-26
Synaptic Organization of Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Projection Neurons....Pages 27-65
Functional Pharmacology of Basal Forebrain Dopamine....Pages 66-77
Cholinergic/Noradrenergic Interactions and Memory....Pages 78-90
The Role of the Noradrenergic System in Higher Cerebral Functions: Experimental Studies about the Effects of Noradrenergic Modulation on Electrophysiology and Behavior....Pages 91-102
Septal Noradrenergic and Glutamatergic Influences on Hippocampal Cholinergic Activity in Relation to Spatial Learning and Memory in Mice....Pages 103-117
Neurotransmitter Interactions and Responsivity to Cholinomimetic Agents....Pages 118-143
The Importance of D 1 and D 2 Interactions with Nicotinic and Muscarinic Systems for Working Memory Function....Pages 144-158
Neurotransmitter Systems in Hippocampus and Prelimbic Cortex, Dopamine-Acetylcholine Interactions in Hippocampus, and Memory in the Rat....Pages 159-182
Nicotinic-Muscarinic Interactions in Cognitive Function....Pages 183-195
The Influence of Neurotensin Upon Cholinergic Function....Pages 196-206
Serotonin Influences on Cholinergic Function: Possible Interactions in Learning and Memory....Pages 207-227
The Contribution of the Serotonergic Innervation of the Hippocampus to the Effects of Combined Cholinergic/Serotonergic Deficits....Pages 228-239
Overlapping Neural Substrates Underlying Defense Reactions, Aversive Memory, and Convulsive Behavior....Pages 240-256
Potentiation of the Effects of Antimuscarinic Drugs on Behavior by Serotonin Depletion: Specificity and Relation to Learning and Memory....Pages 257-276
Interactions of Neurotransmitters and Neuroanatomy: It’s Not What You Do, It’s The Place that You Do It....Pages 277-286
Intraseptal GABAergic Infusions Disrupt Memory in the Rat: Method and Mechanisms....Pages 287-300
Working Memory and Cholinergic Autoregulation in the Medial Septal Area....Pages 301-311
Modulation of Memory by Benzodiazepine-Acetylcholine Interactions....Pages 312-328
Cognition Enhancement Based on GABA-Cholinergic Interactions....Pages 329-354
Transmitter Interactions and Cognitive Function: Appreciation of the Concert....Pages 355-357
Back Matter....Pages 359-362

✦ Subjects

Human Physiology; Medical Microbiology; Neurology; Science, general