Distribution of muscarinic receptors in the depressed brain
There are two main types of cholinergic receptors in the brain, muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Muscarinic receptors are further classified as M1–M5 receptors, and nicotinic as NN and NM receptors. The muscarinic receptors are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system. Briefly, these receptors can be found in the cerebral cortex, corpus striatum, limbic system, thalamus, hypothalamus, midbrain and brainstem. There is evidence to suggest that there is increased expression of cholinergic receptors in the brains of depressed people. Anticholinergic compounds are also reported to be mood elevating.
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References
Molecular biology, pharmacology and brain distribution of sub-types of the muscarinic receptor. The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. www.acnp.org/g4/GN401000010/CH010.html Accessed on 21 February 2002.
Neurotransmitters and psychiatric disorders. In: Psychiatric disorders with a biochemical basis. Donaldson D. New York, USA: Parthenon Publishing group, 1998:45–54.