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Related Concept Videos

Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission01:23

Cholinergic Neurons: Neurotransmission

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Cholinergic neurotransmission involves the synthesis and the release of acetylcholine (ACh) in order to transmit nerve impulses across the synapse. The process begins with the synthesis of acetyl CoA, a precursor for ACh, from ATP, acetate, and coenzyme A in the mitochondria. Choline, another vital precursor, is transported inside the neuron through choline transporters, including high-affinity choline transporter CHT1, low-affinity choline transporter CTL1, and lower-affinity choline...
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Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic01:15

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic

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Nicotinic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by acetylcholine and nicotine. Upon activation, they cause a rapid increase in the permeability of cells to K+, Na+, and Ca2+, followed by depolarization and excitation. They are in the autonomic ganglia, skeletal neuromuscular junction, CNS, and adrenal medulla.
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...
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Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic01:25

Cholinergic Receptors: Muscarinic

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The pharmacological actions of acetylcholine are elicited via its binding to two families of cholinergic receptors or cholinoceptors, namely, muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Muscarinic receptors are G protein-coupled receptors and have five subtypes, M1–M5. All mAChR subtypes are activated by acetylcholine and blocked by the antagonist, atropine. 
The subtypes M1, M3, and M5 couple with the Gq subunit and activate the phospholipase C (PLC) activity, mobilizing intracellular Ca2+....
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Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

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Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
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Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions01:30

Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions

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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.
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
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Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:22

Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

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Cholinergic agonists or cholinomimetics mimic the action of acetylcholine to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. They are categorized into direct-acting and indirect-acting agents. The direct-acting cholinergic drugs induce the parasympathetic response by directly binding to the muscarinic or nicotine receptors. In comparison, the indirect-acting cholinergic drugs prevent acetylcholine hydrolysis, indirectly contributing to the extended parasympathetic response.
The direct-acting...
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Updated: May 12, 2025

Subcutaneous Administration of Muscarinic Antagonists and Triple-Immunostaining of the Levator Auris Longus Muscle in Mice
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The cholinergic synapses.

Hermona Soreq1, Adi Bar2, Iddo Paldor3

  • 1Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Biological Chemistry, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.

Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|May 8, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Acetylcholine (ACh) is a vital neurotransmitter regulating the nervous system and cognitive functions like memory and alertness. Its essential role spans the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, impacting all mammalian bodily processes.

Keywords:
Alzheimer diseaseCholinergic illnessesCholinergic synapseCholinergic treatmentParkinson diseaseStroke

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurochemistry

Background:

  • Acetylcholine (ACh) is a primary neurotransmitter with widespread regulatory functions.
  • It operates in the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system, and autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the comprehensive role of acetylcholine in nervous system regulation.
  • To highlight ACh's involvement in cognitive functions and basic physiological processes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on acetylcholine.
  • Analysis of acetylcholine's distribution and function across different nervous system divisions.

Main Results:

  • Acetylcholine acts as both a direct neurotransmitter and a modulator of other neurotransmitters.
  • Its functions in the CNS include modulating memory, alertness, and limbic activation.
  • ACh is indispensable for initiating mammalian bodily processes.

Conclusions:

  • Acetylcholine is a fundamental molecule essential for nervous system function and overall mammalian physiology.
  • Understanding ACh's multifaceted roles is crucial for neuroscience and medicine.