AUTHOR=Villano Ines , Messina Antonietta , Valenzano Anna , Moscatelli Fiorenzo , Esposito Teresa , Monda Vincenzo , Esposito Maria , Precenzano Francesco , Carotenuto Marco , Viggiano Andrea , Chieffi Sergio , Cibelli Giuseppe , Monda Marcellino , Messina Giovanni 

TITLE=Basal Forebrain Cholinergic System and Orexin Neurons: Effects on Attention

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00010

DOI=10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00010

ISSN=1662-5153

ABSTRACT=<p>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.</p>