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. 2020 Dec 15;26(8):3684–3700. doi: 10.1038/s41380-020-00973-3

Fig. 5. The beneficial effects of NE α2A-AR actions in dlPFC.

Fig. 5

a NE α2A-AR have high affinity for NE, and thus are engaged under conditions of moderate NE release, e.g., nonstress conditions. In layer III dlPFC, α2A-AR are localized postsynaptically on spines, where they inhibit cAMP–calcium signaling and close nearby K+ channels to strengthen network connectivity, enhance delay cell firing, and improve a variety of PFC functions in humans, monkeys, and rodents. They also protect PFC circuits from stress exposure (see text). b An example of a dlPFC delay cell with weak firing under control conditions, where iontophoresis of guanfacine strongly enhanced task-related firing.