Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) also often called cholinesterase inhibitors,^[1] inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase from breaking down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into choline and acetate,^[2] thereby increasing both the level and duration of action of acetylcholine in the central nervous system, autonomic ganglia and neuromuscular junctions, which are rich in acetylcholine receptors.^[2] Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are one of two types of cholinesterase inhibitors; the other being butyryl-cholinesterase inhibitors.^[2] Acetylcholinesterase is the primary member of the cholinesterase enzyme family.^[3]

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are classified as reversible, irreversible, or quasi-irreversible (also called pseudo-irreversible).^[4]^[5]

^ "Medications for treating people with dementia" (PDF). Retrieved 1 January 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c English, Brett A.; Webster, Andrew A. (2012). "Acetylcholinesterase and its Inhibitors". Primer on the Autonomic Nervous System. Elsevier. pp. 631–633. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-386525-0.00132-3. ISBN 978-0-12-386525-0.
^ Seth (2009-11-18). "23". Textbook Of Pharmacology. Elsevier India. p. III.87. ISBN 978-8131211588. Anaesthesia: Cholinesterase inhibitors are likely to exaggerate succinylcholine-type muscle relaxation during anaesthesia. 5. Genitourinary system: It may ...
^ Colović MB, Krstić DZ, Lazarević-Pašti TD, Bondžić AM, Vasić VM (May 2013). "Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: pharmacology and toxicology". Current Neuropharmacology. 11 (3). Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.: 315–35. doi:10.2174/1570159x11311030006. PMC 3648782. PMID 24179466.
^ McGleenon BM, Dynan KB, Passmore AP (October 1999). "Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease". British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 48 (4): 471–80. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2125.1999.00026.x. PMC 2014378. PMID 10583015.