Progress in the fields of neuroscience and molecular biology has identified the forebrain cholinergic system as being important in many higher order brain functions. Further analysis of the genes encoding the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) has highlighted, in particular, the role of α7 nAChRs in these higher order brain functions as evidenced by their peculiar physiologic and pharmacological properties. As this receptor has gained the attention of scientists from academia and industry, our knowledge of its roles in various brain and bodily functions has increased immensely. We have also seen the development of small molecules that have further refined our understanding of the roles of α7 nAChRs, and these molecules have begun to be tested in clinical trials for several indications. Although a large body of data has confirmed a role of α7 nAChRs in cognition, the translation of small molecules affecting α7 nAChRs into therapeutics has to date only progressed to the stage of testing in clinical trials. Notably, however, most recent human genetic and biochemical studies are further underscoring the crucial role of α7 nAChRs and associated genes in multiple organ systems and disease states. The aim of this review is to discuss our current knowledge of α7 nAChRs and their relevance as a target in specific functional systems and disease states.

中文翻译：

---

α7烟碱乙酰胆碱受体的治疗潜力。

神经科学和分子生物学领域的进步已经确定，前脑胆碱能系统在许多高级脑功能中很重要。对烟碱样乙酰胆碱受体（nAChRs）编码基因的进一步分析特别强调了α7nAChRs在这些高级大脑功能中的作用，这由其独特的生理和药理特性证明了这一点。随着这种受体引起了学术界和工业界科学家的关注，我们对其受体在各种大脑和身体功能中的作用的了解大大增加了。我们还看到了小分子的发展，这些小分子的发展进一步加深了我们对α7nAChRs作用的理解，并且这些分子已开始在临床试验中针对多种适应症进行测试。尽管大量数据证实了α7nAChRs在认知中的作用，但迄今为止，影响α7nAChRs的小分子向治疗剂的转化仅进展到临床试验的阶段。但是，值得注意的是，最近的人类遗传和生物化学研究进一步强调了α7nAChRs和相关基因在多种器官系统和疾病状态中的关键作用。这篇综述的目的是讨论我们目前对α7nAChRs的了解及其在特定功能系统和疾病状态中作为靶标的相关性。最近的人类遗传和生化研究进一步强调了α7nAChRs和相关基因在多种器官系统和疾病状态中的关键作用。这篇综述的目的是讨论我们目前对α7nAChRs的了解及其在特定功能系统和疾病状态中作为靶标的相关性。最近的人类遗传和生化研究进一步强调了α7nAChRs和相关基因在多种器官系统和疾病状态中的关键作用。这篇综述的目的是讨论我们目前对α7nAChRs的了解及其在特定功能系统和疾病状态中作为靶标的相关性。