Cholinergic basal forebrain circuit degeneration in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by loss of synapses and neurons in specific areas of the brain, leading to loss of learning, memory and cognitive function. Among the most vulnerable neurons in Alzheimer's disease are basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. Degeneration of cholinergic projections to cortex and hippocampus is responsible for learning and memory deficits. Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons rely on two target‐derived …