Basal optic nucleus of Meynert

Infobox Brain
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = n. basalis telencephali
GraySubject =
GrayPage =


Caption =


Caption2 =
IsPartOf =
Components =
Artery =
Vein =
Acronym =
BrainInfoType = hier
BrainInfoNumber = 257
MeshName = Basal+nucleus+of+Meynert
MeshNumber = A08.186.211.730.885.105.880.100
DorlandsPre = n_11
DorlandsSuf = 12580484

The basal nucleus of Meynert (NBM) is a group of nerve cells in the substantia innominata of the basal forebrain, in the lateral part of the tuber cinereum, that has wide projections to the neocortex and is rich in acetylcholine and choline acetyltransferase.

Clinical significance

In Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases the nucleus undergoes degeneration. A decrease in acetylcholine production is seen in Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia and some Parkinson disease patients showing abnormal brain function, leading to a general decrease of mental capacity and learning.

Most pharmacological treatments of dementia focus on compensating for a faltering NBM function through artificially increasing acetylcholine levels.

Cholinergic neurons/cell bodies

The primary concentration of cholinergic neurons/cell bodies that project to the neocortex are in the basal nucleus of Meynert which is located in the substantia innominata of the anterior perforated substance.

Eponym

It is named for Theodor Meynert. [WhoNamedIt|synd|3820]

References

External links

* [http://www.med.univ-rennes1.fr/etud/pharmaco/media/alzheimerGB.htm#Noyau%20basal%20de%20Meynert%20(NbM) location at univ-rennes1.fr]