Cholinergic modulation of a specific memory function of prefrontal cortex

Deficits in prefrontal cholinergic function are implicated in cognitive impairment in many neuropsychiatric diseases, but acetylcholine’s specific role remains elusive. Rhesus monkeys with selective lesions of cholinergic input to prefrontal cortex were unimpaired in tests of decision-making and episodic memory that require intact prefrontal cortex, but were severely impaired on a spatial working memory task. These observations are consistent with a specific role for prefrontal acetylcholine in working memory.