GALANIN-ACETYLCHOLINE INTERACTIONS - RELEVANCE TO MEMORY AND ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

The neuropeptide, galanin, and its receptors are localized in the chol inergic basal forebrain and its projection areas in mammalian brain. C entrally administered galanin inhibits acetylcholine release in the ra t ventral hippocampus, and produces deficits in learning and memory ta sks. In Alzheimer's disease, galanin is overexpressed in terminals inn ervating the nucleus basalis of Meynert cell bodies. Selective galanin receptor antagonists provide a novel approach for increasing choliner gic function, as a potential adjunct to the clinical treatment of deme ntias.