Basal optic nucleus of Meynert

In the lateral part of the tuber cinereum is a nucleus of nerve cells, the basal optic nucleus of Meynert.

The basal nucleus of Meynert (NBM) is involved in production of acetylcholine. A decrease in this production is seen in Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, leading to a general decrease of mental capacity and learning. Most pharmacological treatments of dementia focus on compencating for a faltering NBM function through artificially increasing acetylcholine levels.

Papers

 * Weinberger, N. M. (1998). Tuning the brain by learning and by stimulation of the nucleus basalis, Trends in Cognitive Sciences 2, 271-3