Journal article

The relationship between nicotinic receptors and cognitive functioning in healthy aging: An in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) study with 2-[ 18F]Fluoro-A-85380

JR Ellis, PJ Nathan, VL Villemagne, RS Mulligan, KA Ellis, HJ Tochon-Danguy, JG Chan, GJ O'Keefe, J Bradley, G Savage, CC Rowe

Synapse | WILEY | Published : 2009

Abstract

Extensive experimental and neuropathological evidence supports the general hypothesis that decline in the basal forebrain cholinergic system contributes significantly to age-related cognitive impairment. Postmortem studies suggest reductions in neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs, particularly the α4β2 subtype) with aging. This study aimed to determine the distribution of α4β2-subtype nAChRs in vivo by 2-FA PET in healthy subjects (aged 21-83) and to establish whether there is an age-related decline in nAChRs. Furthermore, the relationship between PET measures of 2-FA binding and neurobehavioral measures of cognitive function was investigated. All participants were nonsmokers ..

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