Erschienen in:
13.01.2018 | Neurology of Aging (K. Marder, Section Editor)
Recent Advances in Cholinergic Imaging and Cognitive Decline—Revisiting the Cholinergic Hypothesis of Dementia
verfasst von:
Nicolaas I. Bohnen, Michel J. Grothe, Nicola J. Ray, Martijn L. T. M. Müller, Stefan J. Teipel
Erschienen in:
Current Geriatrics Reports
|
Ausgabe 1/2018
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Abstract
Purpose of Review
Although the cholinergic hypothesis of dementia provided a successful paradigm for the development of new drugs for dementia, this hypothesis has waned in popularity. Cholinergic brain imaging may provide novel insights into the viability of this hypothesis.
Recent Findings
Cholinergic receptor and forebrain volumetric studies suggest an important role of the cholinergic system in maintaining brain network integrity that may deteriorate with cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease (AD) and Lewy body disorders (LBD). Bidirectional changes in regional receptor expression may suggest the presence of compensatory responses to neurodegenerative injury. Cholinergic system changes are more complex in LBD because of additional subcortical degenerations compared to AD. Cholinergic-dopaminergic interactions affect attentional, verbal learning, and executive functions, and impairments in these two transmitter systems may jointly increase the risk of dementia in Parkinson’s disease.
Summary
The cholinergic hypothesis is evolving from a primary focus on memory toward expanded cognitive functions modulated by regionally more complex and interactive brain networks. Cholinergic network adaptation may serve as a novel research target in neurodegeneration.