Main description:

A comprehensive overview of nicotinic receptors that addresses their history from crystal structure to behavior as well as their implications in disease and potential as therapeutic targets. It includes background information on all subtypes of nicotinic receptors, the most recent information on the distribution throughout the nervous system and discussion of their implications in learning and memory, addiction and neurological and psychiatric disease such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Takes advantage of several recent developments in the fields of optogenetics, viral expression and gene analysis to focus on current knowledge on the functional aspects of nicotinic receptors.

Contents:

Ch. 1: On the Discovery of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Channel
Richard Martindale, Robin A.J. Lester, Ph.D.,

Ch. 2: Molecular Structure and Gating
Steen E. Pedersen, Ph.D

Ch. 3: Molecular Underpinnings of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Expression
Michael D. Scofield, Ph.D., Paul D. Gardner, Ph.D.,

Ch. 4: Presynaptic Nicotinic Receptors: Subtypes and Function
Michael J. Marks, B.S., M.S., Ph.D., Sharon R. Grady, Ph.D. Tristan D. McClure-Begley, Ph.D. Heidi C. O'Neill, Ph.D., Cristian A. Zambrano, Ph.D.

Ch. 5: Functional Distribution and Regulation of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Mammalian Brain
Jerrel L. Yakel, Ph.D.

Ch. 6: Nicotinic Signaling in Development
Catarina C. Fernandes, Ph.D. Adrian F. Lozada, Ph.D. Darwin K. Berg, Ph.D.

Ch. 7: Presynaptic Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors & The Modulation Of Circuit Excitability
Chongbo Zhong, M.D. Ph.D., Gretchen Y. Lopez-Hernandez, Ph.D., David A. Talmage, Ph.D., Lorna W. Role, Ph.D.

Ch. 8: Autonomic Nervous System Transmission
Peter B. Sargent, Ph.D.

Ch. 9: Nicotinic Receptors in the Spinal Cord
Boris Lamotte d'Incamps, Philippe Ascher

Ch. 10: Slow Synaptic Transmission in the Central Nervous System
A. Rory McQuiston, Ph.D

Ch. 11: The Effects of Nicotine on Learning and Memory
Thomas J. Gould, Ph.D

Ch. 12: Nicotinic Receptors as Targets for Novel Analgesics and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
M. Imad Damaj, Ph.D., Kelen Freitas, Deniz Bagdas, Ph.D., Pamela Flood, M.D.

Ch. 13: Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors and the Roles of the Alpha7 Subunit
Michael Paolini, M.D., Mariella De Biasi, Ph.D., John A. Dani, Ph.D.

Ch. 14: Role of Central Serotonin Receptors in Nicotine Addiction
Giuseppe Di Giovanni , Ph.D., Massimo Pierucci, B.Sc. Stephanie Chambers, Lucy Partridge, Philippe De Deurwaerdere, Ph.D.,

Ch. 15: Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Reward and Addiction
Andrew R. Tapper, Ph.D., Linzy M. Hendrickson, Ph.D.

Ch. 16: Genetic Contributions of the 5 Nicotinic Receptor Subunit to Smoking Behavior
Laura J. Bierut, M.D., Jerry A. Stitzel, Ph.D.

Ch. 17: Smoking-Related Genes and Functional Consequences
Ines Ibanez-Tallon, Ph.D., Jessica L. Ables, M.D., Ph.D.

Ch. 18: Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Along the Habenulo-Interpeduncular Pathway: Roles in Nicotine Withdrawal and Other Aversive Aspects
Dang Q. Dao, B.S., Ramiro Salas, Ph.D., Mariella De Biasi, Ph.D.

Ch. 19: Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease
Kelly T Dineley, Ph.D.

Ch. 20: Nicotinic Receptors and Mental Illness
Sherry Leonard, Ph.D.

Ch. 21: Current & Future Trends in Drug Discovery and Development Related to Nicotinic Receptors
Stephen P Arneric, Ph.D., Emanuele Sher, M.D., Ph.D.