Anticholinesterases: mechanism and chemical groups

THE CONTEXT

Anticholinesterases enhance acetylcholine action by protecting it from enzymatic hydrolysis.

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Anticholinesterases inhibit cholinesterase and protect acetylcholine from hydrolysis, producing cholinergic effects in vivo.

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They potentiate acetylcholine both in vivo and in vitro.

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Quaternary ammonium anticholinesterases such as neostigmine additionally act directly on nicotinic cholinoceptors.

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Most anticholinesterases are esters of carbamic acid or derivatives of phosphoric acid.

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Edrophonium, tacrine, donepezil and galantamine have carbamate-like action but are chemically non-carbamates.

NEETx

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