Cholinergic
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2008-07-01T07:04:40Z
SJP
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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]]