The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a member of the ligand-gated ion channel superfamily which includes GABAA , 5HT3 , NMDA and glycine receptors. It is a cation permeable ion channel activated by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and the natural alkaloid, nicotine. Neuronal nAChR are pentameric and functional channels are formed from a repertoire of nine a (a2 to a10) and three β subunits (β2 to β4). Most nAChR exist as heteromers with the stoichiometry 2a to 3β, however some a subunits function as homomers, these being a7 or a9 (for reviews see Refs. 1 & 2). nAChR have been proposed to play a role in many neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia and depression. nAChR a7 are widely distributed in the mammalian brain including in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia and cerebellum. There is evidence that nAChR a7 play a role in cognition and could be a potential therapeutic target in cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease or schizophrenia.