Type | Location of expression | Function |
---|---|---|
nAChR | ||
 Muscle-type | Neuromuscular junction | Muscle contraction, mainly by increased Na+ and K+ permeability |
 Neuronal-type | Autonomic ganglia | Activation of autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic), mainly by increased Na+and K+ permeability |
Hippocampus / cortex | Cognition, modulate the induction of synaptic plasticity, effect on learning and memory formation, i.e., can improve neurovascular coupling | |
Midbrain | Reward center and initiation of the nicotine addiction process | |
Neuro-endocrineneurons in the hypothalamus | Facilitate the Ca2+-dependent release of vasopressin and oxytocin | |
Others | Improvement of neurovascular coupling (in neurodegenerative disease and ischemia) | |
mAChR | ||
 M1 | Autonomic ganglia | Mediates slow EPSP in postganglionic nerve |
Exocrine glands | Stimulates secretion | |
Central nervous system | Activates slow after-depolarizing potentials in neurons | |
 M2 | Heart | Reduce of heart rate, contractile forces of the atrium and conduction velocity in AV node |
Central nervous system | Activates slow after-depolarizing potentials in neurons | |
 M3 | Smooth muscles | Vasoconstriction, vasodilatation, bronchoconstriction |
Endocrine and exocrine glands | Stimulate secretion | |
Central nervous system | Activates slow after-depolarizing potentials in neurons | |
Eye | Lacrimation, miosis and accommodation by contraction of the sphincter papillae and ciliary body | |
 M4 | Central nervous system | Activates slow after-depolarizing potentials in neurons |
 M5 | Not well known | - |