Acetylcholine: Difference between revisions

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An acetylcholine receptor [[agonist]] works by increasing the level of receptor activation, either directly or indirectly. Direct agonists work by imitating the neurotransmitter. [[Muscarine]], an alkaloid found in a variety of mushrooms including [[Amanita muscaria|''Amanita muscaria'']], acts as a direct agonist of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. [[Nicotine]], an alkaloid found in [[Nicotiana tabacum|''Nicotiana tabacum'']], acts as a direct agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Indirect agonists most often work by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase; this enzyme breaks down acetylcholine, and therefore inhibition of it increases activation of cholinergic receptors. The stimulant drug caffeine is an indirect agonist, as is [[THC]]. More potent agents include [[donepezil]] and [[galantamine]], both of which are used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. These work by blocking acetylcholinesterase, which is an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, leading to an increased build up over time. These medications are non-competitive, reversible inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. [[Nerve agent|Nerve agents]] like [[sarin]] irreversibly inhibit the enzyme, allowing a potentially lethal accumulation of acetylcholine to occur.

====[[Antagonists]]====

An acetylcholine receptor [[antagonist]] works by attaching to acetylcholine receptors to prevent agonists binding. The [[deliriant]] drugs [[atropine]], [[scopolamine]] and [[DPH]] all act as antagonists upon muscarinic receptors, as does the ~~deadly neurotoxin~~ BZ.

An acetylcholine receptor [[antagonist]] works by attaching to acetylcholine receptors to prevent agonists binding. The [[deliriant]] drugs [[atropine]], [[scopolamine]] and [[DPH]] all act as antagonists upon muscarinic receptors, as does the chemical incapacitating agent 3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate, better known as BZ.

==See also==

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 An acetylcholine receptor [[agonist]] works by increasing the level of receptor activation, either directly or indirectly. Direct agonists work by imitating the neurotransmitter. [[Muscarine]], an alkaloid found in a variety of mushrooms including [[Amanita muscaria|''Amanita muscaria'']], acts as a direct agonist of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. [[Nicotine]], an alkaloid found in [[Nicotiana tabacum|''Nicotiana tabacum'']], acts as a direct agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Indirect agonists most often work by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase; this enzyme breaks down acetylcholine, and therefore inhibition of it increases activation of cholinergic receptors. The stimulant drug caffeine is an indirect agonist, as is [[THC]]. More potent agents include [[donepezil]] and [[galantamine]], both of which are used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. These work by blocking acetylcholinesterase, which is an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, leading to an increased build up over time. These medications are non-competitive, reversible inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. [[Nerve agent|Nerve agents]] like [[sarin]] irreversibly inhibit the enzyme, allowing a potentially lethal accumulation of acetylcholine to occur.
 ====[[Antagonists]]====
-An acetylcholine receptor [[antagonist]] works by attaching to acetylcholine receptors to prevent agonists binding. The [[deliriant]] drugs [[atropine]], [[scopolamine]] and [[DPH]] all act as antagonists upon muscarinic receptors, as does the deadly neurotoxin BZ.
+An acetylcholine receptor [[antagonist]] works by attaching to acetylcholine receptors to prevent agonists binding. The [[deliriant]] drugs [[atropine]], [[scopolamine]] and [[DPH]] all act as antagonists upon muscarinic receptors, as does the chemical incapacitating agent 3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate, better known as BZ.
 ==See also==