Function
| Acetylcholine | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | ACh |
| Sources | many |
| Targets | many |
| Receptors | nicotinic; muscarinic |
| Agonists | nicotine, muscarine |
| Antagonists | curare, atropine |
| Precursor | choline |
| Synthesizing enzyme | Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) |
| Metabolizing enzyme | Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) |
Acetylcholine has functions both in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and in the central nervous system (CNS) as a neuromodulator.
In the peripheral nervous system, acetylcholine activates muscles, and is a major neurotransmitter in the autonomic nervous system.
In the central nervous system, acetylcholine and the associated neurons form a neurotransmitter system, the cholinergic system, which tends to cause anti-excitatory actions.
Read more about this topic: Acetylcholine
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