Acetylcholinesteraze
is an enzyme that
is used by the body to break down unused acetylcholine.
Neurons communicate with each other by means
of chemical messages; molecules of a chemical, called a neurotransmitter,
are released by one neuron and absorbed by other neurons who
receive the message. Any remaining (unabsorbed) neurotransmitter
is quickly cleaned up, to clear the way for new messages.
Acetylcholine
is one important neurotransmitter, and acetylcholinesterase
is an enzyme that
inactivates unused acetylcholine, by breaking it down into
its components (acetate and choline). These components can
then be reabsorbed into the neurons and recycled back into
acetylcholine for future use.
Cholinergic
inhibitors are drugs that increase the efficiency of ACh
by interfering with acetylcholinesterase.
by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain
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