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Cited by 141Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors StudyAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 60 of the 62 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Molecular analysis of nicotinic receptor expression in autism

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Martin-Ruiz, C.M., Lee, M., Perry, R.H., Baumann, M., Court, J.A., Perry, E.K.·2004·Molecular Brain Research
DOI 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.01.003
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Abstract

Autism is a developmental disorder of unknown aetiopathology and lacking any specific pharmacological therapeutic intervention. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and acetylcholine have been implicated. Abnormalities in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have been identified including cortical loss of binding to the alpha4/beta2 subtype and increase in cerebellar alpha7 binding. Receptor expression (mRNA) has not so far been systematically examined. This study aims to further explore the role of nicotinic receptors in autism by analysing nicotinic receptor subunit mRNA in conjunction with protein levels and receptor binding in different brain areas. Quantitative RT-PCR for alpha4, alpha7 and beta2 subunit mRNA expression levels; alpha3, alpha4, alpha7 and beta2 subunit protein expression immunochemistry and specific radioligand receptor binding were performed in adult autism and control brain samples from cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Alpha4 and beta2 protein expression and receptor binding density as well as alpha4 mRNA levels were lower in parietal cortex in autism, while alpha7 did not change for any of these parameters. In cerebellum, alpha4 mRNA expression was increased, whereas subunit protein and receptor levels were decreased. Alpha7 receptor binding in cerebellum was increased alongside non-significant elevations in mRNA and protein expression levels. No significant changes were found for beta2 in cerebellum. The data obtained, using complementary measures of receptor expression, indicate that reduced gene expression of the alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptor in the cerebral cortex is a major feature of the neurochemical pathology of autism, whilst post-transcriptional abnormalities of both this and the alpha7 subtype are apparent in the cerebellum. The findings point to dendritic and/or synaptic nicotinic receptor abnormalities that may relate to disruptions in cerebral circuitry development.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.01.003

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Buitelaar, 2000, Autism: current theories regarding its pathogenesis and implications for rational pharmacotherapy, Paediatr. Drugs, 2, 67, 10.2165/00128072-200002010-00006 · DOI
  2. McQueen, 2002, Secretin for the treatment of autism, Ann. Pharmacother., 36, 305, 10.1345/aph.19113 · DOI · Paper page

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Metadata

Authors
Martin-Ruiz, C. M., Lee, M., Perry, R. H., Baumann, M., Court, J. A., & Perry, E. K.
Affiliations
  • Newcastle upon Tyne Hospital (GB)
  • Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
Martin-Ruiz, C.M.
ORCID
Martin-Ruiz, C.M.
Venue
Molecular Brain Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2004-04
Volume
123
Issue
1-2
Pages
81-90
ISSN
0169-328X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.01.003
OpenAlex
W2146597551
Cited by
141
References
62
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 5
FWCI
2.84
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Molecular Brain Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptor, alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, receptor binding density, post-transcriptional regulation
MeSH terms
Acetylcholine, Adult, Autistic Disorder, Binding, Competitive, Brain, Brain Chemistry, Cerebellum, Female, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Male, Synaptic Transmission, Parietal Lobe, Radioligand Assay, Receptors, Nicotinic, RNA, Messenger, Synapses, Down-Regulation, Up-Regulation, Protein Subunits, alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

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