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Related Concept Videos

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions01:30

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Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists, also known as anticholinesterases, exert their pharmacological effects by enhancing cholinergic transmission in various body parts, including the neuromuscular junction, autonomic cholinergic synapses, and the brain.
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Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists, or anticholinesterases, enhance the body's cholinergic activity by inhibiting acetylcholine's breakdown. They are categorized as reversible or irreversible agents based on their mechanism of action. They are further classified into short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting agents based on their duration of action.
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Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacokinetics01:31

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Direct-acting cholinergic agonists, such as synthetic choline esters and naturally occurring alkaloids, exert their effects by enhancing the actions of acetylcholine and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. Synthetic choline esters share structural similarities with acetylcholine. For example, they have a positively charged quaternary ammonium or onium group, contributing to their hydrophilic characteristics. As a result, they are poorly absorbed in the body through oral...
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Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists are agents that interact with the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the synaptic cleft, preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine into choline and acetate. Consequently, the concentration of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft increases. These agonists can be classified into reversible and irreversible inhibitors based on their duration of action.
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Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
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Direct-acting cholinergic agonists exert their pharmacological actions by mimicking the effects of acetylcholine on postsynaptic muscarinic receptors to generate parasympathetic responses. These agents elicit a range of physiological responses, including cardiovascular effects. For example, activation of muscarinic receptors induces bradycardia, decreased cardiac output, reduced peripheral resistance, and consequent hypotension. In the eye, stimulation of M3 receptors leads to smooth muscle...
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Eye Movement Monitoring of Memory
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Cholinergic manipulations bidirectionally regulate object memory destabilization.

Mikaela L Stiver1, Derek L Jacklin1, Krista A Mitchnick1

  • 1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.

Learning & Memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.)
|March 18, 2015
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Acetylcholine (ACh) is crucial for memory destabilization during retrieval when new information is introduced. Manipulating ACh levels bidirectionally affects memory updating, highlighting its role in cognitive flexibility.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Science
  • Memory Research

Background:

  • Consolidated memories become modifiable upon retrieval, especially when novel information is present.
  • Acetylcholine (ACh) is known for its role in new learning and memory formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of acetylcholine (ACh) in novelty-induced memory destabilization.
  • To explore the influence of cholinergic system manipulation on memory reconsolidation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an object recognition paradigm in rats.
  • Administered muscarinic receptor antagonist (scopolamine) and agonists (oxotremorine, carbachol) systemically or into the perirhinal cortex.
  • Examined memory destabilization during reactivation with novel information.

Main Results:

  • Scopolamine blocked novelty-induced memory destabilization.
  • Oxotremorine and carbachol mimicked the destabilizing effect of novel information.
  • Bidirectional effects of cholinergic manipulation on memory destabilization were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Acetylcholine (ACh) significantly influences memory destabilization and updating during reconsolidation.
  • This study reveals a novel mnemonic role for ACh in cognitive flexibility and long-term memory storage.
  • Cholinergic system modulation impacts the dynamic nature of memory.