APA Dictionary of Psychology

a type of acetylcholine receptor that responds to nicotine as well as to acetylcholine. Nicotinic receptors mediate chiefly the excitatory activities of acetylcholine, including those at neuromuscular junctions. There are several nicotinic receptor subtypes, which have various roles; for example, both the α4β2 and α7 nicotinic subtypes have roles in memory. The latter, α7, is being studied as a potential target for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. Also, a large reduction in the α6β3* subtype has been found in Parkinson’s disease. Compare muscarinic receptor.