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Forebrain Cholinergic Systems and Cognition: New Insights Based on Rapid Detection of Choline Spikes Using Enzyme-Based Biosensors

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Microelectrode Biosensors

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 80))

Abstract

Changes in acetylcholine (ACh) release in the forebrain represent a critical step in the activation of larger neuronal circuits mediating cognitive functions. Therefore, the development of methods which allow the assessment of ACh release at a high temporal and spatial resolution is of immense significance for behavioral and cognitive neuroscience research. In this chapter, we review evidence from in vivo studies utilizing choline-sensitive microelectrodes for the detection of rapid changes in extracellular choline levels as a spatially discrete and sensitive measure of cortical cholinergic transmission. We then summarize empirical data from our lab based on studies involving electrochemical recordings and real-time monitoring of ACh release in animals performing a cued-appetitive response task. Phasic cholinergic activation in the prefrontal cortex, demonstrated by second-based increases in cholinergic transmission during behaviorally significant cues triggering reward approach, suggests that cholinergic transients encode specific information pertaining to the detection of attention-demanding cues. These findings indicate that cortical cholinergic transmission mediates defined cognitive operations which are contrary to the traditional description of cortical ACh as a slowly acting neuromodulator influencing different arousal states.

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Acknowledgements

The authors’ research was supported by PHS grants MH080426, MH080322, and AG092592.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Vinay Parikh

  2. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Martin Sarter

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  1. Vinay Parikh
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  2. Martin Sarter
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculté de médecine, CRNL, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Avenue Rockefeller 8, Lyon, 69373, France

    Stéphane Marinesco

  2. School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom

    Nicholas Dale

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Parikh, V., Sarter, M. (2013). Forebrain Cholinergic Systems and Cognition: New Insights Based on Rapid Detection of Choline Spikes Using Enzyme-Based Biosensors. In: Marinesco, S., Dale, N. (eds) Microelectrode Biosensors. Neuromethods, vol 80. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-370-1_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-370-1_12

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-369-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-370-1

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