[Amyloid cascade hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease and alpha 7 nicotinic receptor].

It is known that beta amyloid protein (A beta) plays an important role in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this review, the role of cellular signaling in the protective action of nicotine for A beta-induced neurotoxicity is described. Recent biochemical and functional studies have demonstrated that A beta interacts directly with the alpha 7 nicotinic receptor, suggesting that A beta might have a function as an endogenous ligand for this receptor. Thus the role of alpha 7 nicotinic receptor in the A beta cascade hypothesis of AD and the possibility of alpha 7 nicotine receptor agonists as the therapeutic drugs for AD are discussed.