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A Computerized Test Battery to Study Pharmacodynamic Effects on the Central Nervous System of Cholinergic Drugs in Early Phase Drug Development

A Computerized Test Battery to Study Pharmacodynamic Effects on the Central Nervous System of Cholinergic Drugs in Early Phase Drug Development

Published on: February 11, 2019

Developmental aspects of the cholinergic system.

Yael Abreu-Villaça¹, Cláudio C Filgueiras, Alex C Manhães

¹Laboratório de Neurofisiologia, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Centro Biomédico, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Prof. Manoel de Abreu 444, 5 andar, Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20550-170, Brazil. yael_a_v@yahoo.com.br

Behavioural Brain Research

|January 12, 2010

Summary

The cholinergic system is crucial for central nervous system (CNS) development. This review details the developmental roles of key cholinergic components like acetylcholine and its receptors.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Biology
Neurochemistry

Background:

The cholinergic system, vital for central nervous system (CNS) function, also plays critical roles during development.
Understanding its developmental trajectory is key to comprehending CNS formation and maturation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the developmental aspects of major cholinergic system components within the CNS.
To outline the temporal and spatial emergence of these components during prenatal and postnatal development.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on cholinergic system development.
Analysis of studies utilizing agonists (e.g., nicotine) and antagonists (e.g., hemicholinium-3).
Inclusion of data from immunohistochemistry and genetically modified mouse models.

Main Results:

Identification of the initial appearance and developmental changes in acetylcholine, choline acetyltransferase, transporters, acetylcholinesterase, and receptors in the CNS.
Correlation of cholinergic component development with key CNS developmental events such as neurogenesis, gliogenesis, and neuronal plasticity.
Evidence linking cholinergic signaling to progenitor cell proliferation, differentiation, axonal guidance, gene expression, and cell survival.

Conclusions:

The cholinergic system's components are sequentially expressed and dynamically regulated during CNS development.
Cholinergic signaling is integral to numerous fundamental processes governing CNS formation and refinement.
Further research using advanced techniques continues to elucidate the intricate developmental roles of this system.