COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS OF CORTICAL ACH - LESSONS FROM STUDIES ON TRANSSYNAPTIC MODULATION OF ACTIVATED EFFLUX

Trans-synaptic modulation of cortical ACh efflux is a useful approach for determining the functions of cortical ACh. Bilateral modulation of basal forebrain GABAergic transmission by benzodiazepine-receptor ago nists and inverse agonists decreases and increases, respectively activ ated cortical ACh efflux. The determination of behavioral functions wh ich are mediated via activated cortical ACh efflux, and therefore subj ect to the effects of basal forebrain GABA-cholinergic manipulations, should promote analyses of the functions of cortical ACh. Trans-synapt ic approaches to enhance activated cortical ACh efflux offer some pote ntial for the treatment of cognitive dysfunctions associated with impa ired cortical cholinergic transmission.