Abstract
The basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic system has an important role in attentive functions. The cholinergic system can be activated by different inputs, and in particular, by orexin neurons, whose cell bodies are located within the postero-lateral hypothalamus. Recently the orexin-producing neurons have been proved to promote arousal and attention through their projections to the BF. The aim of this review article is to summarize the evidence showing that the orexin system contributes to attentional processing by an increase in cortical acetylcholine release and in cortical neurons activity.
Highlights
Attention may be defined as the behavioral and cognitive process that allows us to select the information present in our environment on the basis of their relevance along with the ability to ignore irrelevant stimuli (Sarter et al, 2001)
We review the effects of orexin-producing neurons and their projection to the basal forebrain (BF) to support the hypothesis that orexin system may contribute to attentional processing through increased cortical-acetylcholine (Ach) release
Orexins excite cholinergic neurons, the increase in acetylcholine release within the cerebral cortex contributes to the cortical activation associated with attention
Summary
Attention may be defined as the behavioral and cognitive process that allows us to select the information present in our environment on the basis of their relevance along with the ability to ignore irrelevant stimuli (Sarter et al, 2001). It is important to determine the brain networks mediating attention both to understand the neural mechanisms underlying these cognitive functions to expand knowledge on neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments in attentional functions (Sarter et al, 2001; Esposito and Carotenuto, 2010, 2014; Carotenuto et al, 2016) Among these networks, the basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic system is considered as a major component of top-down processes in the mediation of attention, it is known to play a role in several aspects of attentional function (Fadel and Burk, 2010; Viggiano et al, 2014) and to be necessary for normal attentional performance (Sarter et al, 2001; Boschen et al, 2009). We review the effects of orexin-producing neurons and their projection to the BF to support the hypothesis that orexin system may contribute to attentional processing through increased cortical-acetylcholine (Ach) release
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