Muscarinic Antagonist

Muscarinic Antagonist

In neurochemistry, a muscarinic receptor antagonist is an agent that blocks the activity of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Acetylcholine (often abbreviated ACh) is a neurotransmitter, whose receptor is a protein found in synapses and other cell membranes. Besides responding to their primary neurochemical, neurotransmitter receptors can be sensitive to a variety of other molecules. Acetylcholine receptors are classified into two groups based on this:

• muscarinic, which respond to muscarine
• nicotinic, which respond to nicotine

Most muscarinic receptor antagonists are synthetic chemicals, however the two most commonly used anticholinergics, scopolamine and atropine are belladonna alkaloids, and are naturally extracted.