Anticholinesterase
Anticholinesterase
Anticholinesterase (pronounced: an-tee-ko-lin-ES-ter-ase) is a type of drug that inhibits the action of the enzyme cholinesterase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter in the body. By inhibiting cholinesterase, anticholinesterase drugs increase the amount of acetylcholine available, which can enhance nerve communication.
Etymology
The term "anticholinesterase" is derived from the Greek words "anti" meaning against, "choline" referring to a vital neurotransmitter, and "esterase" referring to the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine.
Types of Anticholinesterase
There are two main types of anticholinesterase drugs: reversible and irreversible.
- Reversible anticholinesterase drugs, such as donepezil and rivastigmine, are commonly used to treat conditions like Alzheimer's disease and myasthenia gravis. These drugs temporarily inhibit cholinesterase, allowing acetylcholine to build up in the nerve synapses.
- Irreversible anticholinesterase drugs, such as organophosphates and carbamates, form a permanent bond with cholinesterase. These are often used in pesticides and nerve gases, and can be highly toxic.
Related Terms
- Acetylcholine: A neurotransmitter in the nervous system that plays a key role in muscle movement and cognitive function.
- Cholinesterase: An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synapses.
- Neurotransmitter: Chemicals that transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse.
- Enzyme: Proteins that act as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions in the body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Anticholinesterase
- Wikipedia's article - Anticholinesterase
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski