Cholinergic neurons of the central nervous system: morphofunctional aspects

Impairment of central cholinergic function is an early and constant finding in a number of mental disorders associated with amnesia or dementia. Although knowledge of the detailed functional implications of cholinergic mechanisms in cognition is still very incomplete, some recent results and concepts about the morphofunctional organization of the cholinergic basalo-cortical projection system are reviewed. This cholinergic system is quite different from other so-called unspecific subcortical projection systems and might have some bearing on understanding the role of cholinergic mechanisms in cognitive function and its disorders.