Basal optic nucleus of Meynert

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.