Cholinergic 346034 222816572 2008-07-01T07:04:40Z SJP 2716074 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/96.229.88.176|96.229.88.176]] to last version by Bobo192 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) A [[synapse]] is '''cholinergic''' if it uses [[acetylcholine]] as its [[neurotransmitter]]. Cholinergic means "related to the [[neurotransmitter]] [[acetylcholine]]," and is typically used in a neurological perspective. The [[parasympathetic nervous system]] is entirely cholinergic. Neuromuscular junctions, preganglionic neurons of the [[sympathetic nervous system]], the [[basal forebrain]], and brain stem complexes are also cholinergic. A substance is cholinergic if it is capable of producing, altering, or releasing [[acetylcholine]] ("indirect-acting") or mimicking its behaviour at one or more of the body's [[acetylcholine receptor]] types ("direct-acting"). ==Cholinergic drug== {{Main|Parasympathomimetic drug}} A cholinergic drug, also known as a cholinergic agent or a [[parasympathomimetic drug]], is any [[drug]] that functions to enhance the effects mediated by [[acetylcholine]] in the [[central nervous system]], the [[peripheral nervous system]], or both. These include acetylcholine's [[precursor_(chemistry)|precursors]] and [[cofactor (biochemistry)|cofactors]], [[acetylcholine receptor]] [[agonist]]s and cholinergic enzymes: *[[acetylcholine receptor]] [[agonist]]s **[[muscarine]] ([[muscarinic receptor]]s) **[[pilocarpine]] ([[M3 receptors]]) **[[nicotine]] ([[nicotinic receptors]]) **[[suxamethonium]] ([[muscle type nicotinic receptors|muscle type receptors]]) *[[cholinesterase inhibitor]]s **[[physostigmine]] **[[neostigmine]] ==See also== * [[Dopaminergic]] * [[Gamma-aminobutyric acid|GABAergic]] * [[Nootropic]] * [[Serotonergic]] {{Receptor agonists and antagonists}} [[Category:Parasympathetic nervous system]] [[Category:Nervous system]] [[Category:Neurochemistry]] [[es:Colinérgico]]