Central Cholinergic Neuropathologies

Although acetylcholine (ACh) is not the predominant transmitter in the central nervous system, cholinergic innervation is of special importance in intellectual processing within the association cortex. Experimental studies in animals and pharmacological investigations in human subjects indicate the key role of ACh in memory. However, cholinergic neurons have other functions. For example, pyramidal motor neurons within the cortex and spinal cord are involved in motor activity. Loss of cholinergic nerve cells or interference with their function can lead to serious neurological disease, as is described in this chapter.