acetylcholine

Examples of acetylcholine in the following topics:

• Autonomic Nervous System

  • The axons of these neurons release acetylcholine on postganglionic neurons within sympathetic ganglia (the sympathetic ganglia form a chain that extends alongside the spinal cord).
  • The acetylcholine activates the postganglionic neurons.
  • The axons of the preganglionic neurons release acetylcholine on the postganglionic neurons, which are generally located very near the target organs.
  • Effects of acetylcholine release on target organs include slowing of heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and stimulation of digestion.

• Regulatory Proteins

  • During stimulation of the muscle cell, the motor neuron releases the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which then binds to a post-synaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

• Neurodegenerative Disorders

  • Because decrease in the activity of cholinergic neurons (neurons that use the neurotransmitter acetylcholine) is common in Alzheimer's disease, several drugs used to treat the disease work by increasing acetylcholine neurotransmission, often by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.

• Excitation–Contraction Coupling

  • Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter released by motor neurons that binds to receptors in the motor end plate.

• Sensory-Somatic Nervous System

  • Acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter released at these synapses.

• Hypersensitivities

  • In patients with the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis, muscle cell receptors that induce contraction in response to acetylcholine are targeted by antibodies.

• Adrenal Glands

  • Secretion of these hormones is stimulated by acetylcholine release from pre-ganglionic sympathetic fibers innervating the adrenal medulla.