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Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

Cholinergic neurotransmission involves the synthesis and the release of acetylcholine (ACh) in order to transmit nerve impulses across the synapse. The process begins with the synthesis of acetyl CoA, a precursor for ACh, from ATP, acetate, and coenzyme A in the mitochondria. Choline, another vital precursor, is transported inside the neuron through choline transporters, including high-affinity choline transporter CHT1, low-affinity choline transporter CTL1, and lower-affinity choline...

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic

Nicotinic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by acetylcholine and nicotine. Upon activation, they cause a rapid increase in the permeability of cells to K+, Na+, and Ca2+, followed by depolarization and excitation. They are in the autonomic ganglia, skeletal neuromuscular junction, CNS, and adrenal medulla.
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...

Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic

Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic

The pharmacological actions of acetylcholine are elicited via its binding to two families of cholinergic receptors or cholinoceptors, namely, muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Muscarinic receptors are G protein-coupled receptors and have five subtypes, M1–M5. All mAChR subtypes are activated by acetylcholine and blocked by the antagonist, atropine.
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Classification of Neurotransmitters

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Neurotransmitters play a crucial role in the communication between neurons in the autonomic nervous system. Neurons in the autonomic nervous system can be cholinergic or adrenergic depending on the neurotransmitters synthesized. Cholinergic neurons use acetylcholine as their primary neurotransmitter. This includes all the preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic and pre- and postganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic nervous systems. In addition, neurons of the somatic nervous system also use...

Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Cholinergic agonists or cholinomimetics mimic the action of acetylcholine to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. They are categorized into direct-acting and indirect-acting agents. The direct-acting cholinergic drugs induce the parasympathetic response by directly binding to the muscarinic or nicotine receptors. In comparison, the indirect-acting cholinergic drugs prevent acetylcholine hydrolysis, indirectly contributing to the extended parasympathetic response.
The direct-acting...

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists are agents that interact with the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the synaptic cleft, preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine into choline and acetate. Consequently, the concentration of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft increases. These agonists can be classified into reversible and irreversible inhibitors based on their duration of action.
Reversible inhibitors display short to medium durations of action. Short-acting agents include simple alcohols with...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Single Synapse Indicators of Glutamate Release and Uptake in Acute Brain Slices from Normal and Huntington Mice

Single Synapse Indicators of Glutamate Release and Uptake in Acute Brain Slices from Normal and Huntington Mice

Published on: March 11, 2020

Cholinergic interneurons are differentially distributed in the human striatum.

Javier Bernácer¹, Lucía Prensa, José Manuel Giménez-Amaya

¹Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

|December 15, 2007

Summary

Cholinergic interneurons in the human striatum show varied distribution across different regions and functional territories. This highlights regional specializations in striatal information processing, particularly in the caudate nucleus.

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Last Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Single Synapse Indicators of Glutamate Release and Uptake in Acute Brain Slices from Normal and Huntington Mice

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Published on: March 11, 2020

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Homochronic Transplantation of Interneuron Precursors into Early Postnatal Mouse Brains

Homochronic Transplantation of Interneuron Precursors into Early Postnatal Mouse Brains

Published on: June 8, 2018

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Neuroanatomy
Cell Biology

Background:

The striatum, comprising the caudate nucleus (CN) and putamen (Put), is vital for motor control and cognition.
Cholinergic interneurons within the striatum play a critical role in modulating neuronal activity and maintaining striatal organization.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the distribution and density of cholinergic interneurons (ChAT-ir) in distinct topographical and functional territories of the human dorsal striatum.
To analyze the relationship between cholinergic interneuron distribution and the striatal chemical compartments.

Main Methods:

Stereological methods were employed to quantify the volume and density of ChAT-ir interneurons.
Analysis was performed on nine normal human brains across specific regions of the CN and Put.

Main Results:

The CN exhibited a higher density of cholinergic interneurons compared to the Put.
Cholinergic interneuron density increased along the anteroposterior axis, with the CN body showing the highest density.
The associative territory and striosomes (particularly in the CN precommissural head and postcommissural Put) were densely populated by ChAT-ir interneurons.

Conclusions:

Cholinergic interneurons are heterogeneously distributed within the human dorsal striatum, reflecting regional specializations.
This differential distribution suggests unique information integration roles for interneurons in specific striatal territories, such as the posterior CN.
Findings emphasize the importance of considering interneuron heterogeneity in future functional studies of the striatum.