Stimulation of alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors inhibits beta-amyloid toxicity

Brain Res. 1998 May 11;792(2):331-4. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(98)00138-3.

Abstract

We examined the effects of nicotinic receptor agonists against beta amyloid (Abeta) cytotoxicity to rat cortical neurons. Administration of nicotine protected against Abeta-induced neuronal death. This neuroprotection was blocked by dihydro-beta-erythroidine, an alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptor antagonist. Furthermore, incubation with cytisine, a selective alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptor agonist, inhibited Abeta cytotoxicity. These results suggest that alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptor activation plays an important role in neuroprotection against Abeta cytotoxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / pharmacology
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Azocines
  • Bungarotoxins / pharmacology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology
  • Dihydro-beta-Erythroidine / pharmacology
  • Fetus / cytology
  • Neurons / chemistry*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Nicotine / pharmacology
  • Nicotinic Agonists / pharmacology
  • Quinolizines
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / physiology*

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Azocines
  • Bungarotoxins
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Quinolizines
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • Dihydro-beta-Erythroidine
  • cytisine
  • Nicotine