Cholinesterase inhibitors

Cholinesterase inhibitors (pronounced as koh-lin-ES-ter-ase in-hib-it-ors) are a class of compounds that block the action of cholinesterase, an enzyme involved in the breakdown of acetylcholine in the nervous system.

Etymology

The term "cholinesterase inhibitor" is derived from the name of the enzyme it inhibits, cholinesterase, and the term "inhibitor", which refers to a substance that reduces or stops the activity of another substance.

Function

Cholinesterase inhibitors function by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in memory and learning. By inhibiting the action of cholinesterase, these compounds increase the amount of acetylcholine available in the brain, which can help improve symptoms of certain neurological disorders.

Uses

Cholinesterase inhibitors are primarily used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and myasthenia gravis. They can also be used to treat glaucoma, a condition that damages the eye's optic nerve.

Types

There are several types of cholinesterase inhibitors, including:

Each of these drugs works in a slightly different way to inhibit the action of cholinesterase and increase the levels of acetylcholine in the brain.

Side Effects

Like all medications, cholinesterase inhibitors can cause side effects. These may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and increased frequency of bowel movements. More serious side effects can include slow heart rate, fainting, and seizures.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Cholinesterase inhibitors
Wikipedia's article - Cholinesterase inhibitors

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski

Cholinesterase inhibitors