Fig. 8.

Layer V pyramidal neurons are dynamically controlled by α7 nAChRs. A model illustrating the potential locations of α7 nAChRs and the interplay between glutamatergic, GABAergic and cholinergic systems in layer V of the prelimbic cortex. α7 nAChRs are shown on the terminal of a glutamatergic afferent (green) and on cell bodies of inhibitory interneurons (yellow). Thus α7 nAChRs are able to influence both the excitability and inhibition of layer V pyramidal neurons (blue). Tonic endogenous ACh selectively targets α7 nAChRs on glutamatergic terminals, suggesting close proximity to tonically active en passant varicosities (orange). In contrast, GABAergic interneurons bearing α7 nAChRs are either more distant from cholinergic fibres, or localised close to tonically inactive varicosities (brown). (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.).