AUTHOR=Perez Dianne M. 

TITLE=α1-Adrenergic Receptors in Neurotransmission, Synaptic Plasticity, and Cognition

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.581098

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2020.581098

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p>α<sub>1</sub>-adrenergic receptors are G-Protein Coupled Receptors that are involved in neurotransmission and regulate the sympathetic nervous system through binding and activating the neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, and the neurohormone, epinephrine. There are three α<sub>1</sub>-adrenergic receptor subtypes (α<sub>1A</sub>, α<sub>1B</sub>, α<sub>1D</sub>) that are known to play various roles in neurotransmission and cognition. They are related to two other adrenergic receptor families that also bind norepinephrine and epinephrine, the β- and α<sub>2</sub>-, each with three subtypes (β<sub>1</sub>, β<sub>2</sub>, β<sub>3</sub>, α<sub>2A</sub>, α<sub>2B</sub>, α<sub>2C</sub>). Previous studies assessing the roles of α<sub>1</sub>-adrenergic receptors in neurotransmission and cognition have been inconsistent. This was due to the use of poorly-selective ligands and many of these studies were published before the characterization of the cloned receptor subtypes and the subsequent development of animal models. With the availability of more-selective ligands and the development of animal models, a clearer picture of their role in cognition and neurotransmission can be assessed. In this review, we highlight the significant role that the α<sub>1</sub>-adrenergic receptor plays in regulating synaptic efficacy, both short and long-term synaptic plasticity, and its regulation of different types of memory. We will also present evidence that the α<sub>1</sub>-adrenergic receptors, and particularly the α<sub>1A</sub>-adrenergic receptor subtype, are a potentially good target to treat a wide variety of neurological conditions with diminished cognition.</p>