Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsImportanceFunctionHow Does Acetylcholine Affect Behavior?Choline as a PrecursorDysfunctionEffects of Medications

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Table of Contents

Importance

Function

How Does Acetylcholine Affect Behavior?

Choline as a Precursor

Dysfunction

Effects of Medications

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What Is Acetylcholine and Why Is It Important?

Acetylcholine (ACh) is a chemical that plays an important role in many different body functions. It is aneurotransmitter, and its main role is to communicate signals between neurons in thecentral nervous system(CNS) and theperipheral nervous system(PNS).

This article discusses how acetylcholine functions in the body as well as how it is produced. It also covers what can happen when acetylcholine function is impaired.

The name acetylcholine is derived from its structure. It is a chemical compound made up of acetic acid and choline.

Acetylcholine Function

Acetylcholine has numerous functions in the body. It can be found in all motor neurons, where it stimulates muscles to contract.From the movements of the stomach and heart to the blink of an eye, all of the body’s movements involve the actions of this important neurotransmitter.

Acetylcholine is also found in many brain neurons where it plays a vital role in mental processes and human behaviors, such as memory and cognition.It is involved in attention, arousal,neuroplasticity, and REM sleep.

Some cells of the body have what are known as cholinergic synapses. These synapses convert an electrical signal into acetylcholine, which then interacts with acetylcholine receptors on the other side of the synapse to trigger another electrical signal.

Peripheral Nervous System

In the PNS, acetylcholine is a major part of thesomatic nervous system. Within this system, it plays an excitatory role leading to the voluntary activation of muscles.

Because acetylcholine plays an important role in muscle actions, drugs that influence this neurotransmitter can cause various degrees of movement disruption and even paralysis.

The Brain and CNS

Acetylcholine also acts at various sites within the CNS, where it can function as a neurotransmitter and as a neuromodulator.It plays a role in motivation, arousal, attention, learning, and memory, and is also involved in promotingREM sleep.

Disrupted levels of acetylcholine may be associated with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.Drugs and substances that block or interrupt acetylcholine function, such as some types of pesticides and nerve gasses, can have negative effects on the body and may even lead to death.

Discovery

Choline and Acetylcholine

Choline is a nutrient precursor of acetylcholine. The body uses choline to produce acetylcholine. When people don’t consume enough choline, they may experience a range of negative health effects.

A lack of choline can affect the liver’s ability to process fat, which increases the risk of liver cancer and diabetes. Children who lack choline in their diet during critical points of development may have impairments in mental function and cognitive performance as a result.

Because the body cannot produce enough choline on its own, it needs to be obtained from food. Supplements containing choline are available. Dietary sources of choline include:

Adequate daily intake of choline is 550 mg per day for men and 425 mg per day for women over the age of 19 years old. Individuals who menstruate may need less because estrogen helps stimulate the synthesis of choline.

Acetylcholine Dysfunction

Some of these conditions involve the depletion of acetylcholine or damage to acetylcholine receptors, but excessive acetylcholine can also have damaging effects. When acetylcholine increases in the synapses and neuromuscular joints, it can lead to what is known as nicotinic and muscarinic toxicity. Symptoms include increased salivation, cramps, diarrhea, blurry vision, paralysis, and muscle twitches.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a condition that leads to muscle weakness. It can affect muscles in the arms, legs, neck, hands, and fingers. It is an autoimmune condition that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks acetylcholine receptors.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological condition that causes tremors and involuntary movements. While the exact causes of the condition are not fully understood, acetylcholine imbalances are believed to play a role.

Toxins and Pesticides

Certain toxins can affect acetylcholine in the body and enhance, mimic, or interact with acetylcholine.This can result in symptoms such as blurred vision, muscle weakness, diarrhea, and paralysis.

Medications That Affect Acetylcholine

Medications that affect acetylcholine are used to treat certain health conditions.

Treatment for conditions related to excess or deficient acetylcholine may involve taking medications that affect the actions or levels of this neurotransmitter in the body. Such medications may include AChE inhibitors and anticholinergics.

15 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Picciotto MR, Higley MJ, Mineur YS.Acetylcholine as a neuromodulator: Cholinergic signaling shapes nervous system function and behavior.Neuron. 2012;76(1):116-129. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2012.08.036Sam C, Bordoni B.Physiology, acetylcholine. In:StatPearls[Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.Mental Health America.What is acetylcholine?National Center for Biotechnology Information.PubChem compound summary for CID 187, acetylcholine.Lombardo S, Maskos U.Role of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in Alzheimer’s disease pathology and treatment.Neuropharmacology. 2015;96:255-262. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.11.018Colovic MB, Krstic DZ, Lazarevic-Pasti TD, Bondzic AM, Vasic VM.Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: Pharmacology and toxicology.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2013;11(3):315-335. doi:10.2174/1570159X11311030006The Nobel Prize.Sir Henry Dale - facts.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Choline: Fact sheet for health professionals.Nguyen HH, Kidron A, Liu T, Nguyen N, Nguyen H, Vo A.Presentation and treatment of cholinergic crisis in the setting of carbamate poisoning.Clin Case Rep. 2021;9(4):1887-1889. doi:10.1002/ccr3.3805Ferreira-Vieira TH, Guimaraes IM, Silva FR, Ribeiro FM.Alzheimer’s disease: Targeting the cholinergic system.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2016;14(1):101-115. doi:10.2174/1570159x13666150716165726National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Myasthenia gravis fact sheet.Liu C.Targeting the cholinergic system in Parkinson’s disease.Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2020;41(4):453-463. doi:10.1038/s41401-020-0380-zHo TNT, Abraham N, Lewis RJ.Structure-function of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor Inhibitors derived from natural toxins.Front Neurosci. 2020;14:609005. doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.609005Troiano G, Bagnoli A, Mercone A, Nante N.Venomous bites during pregnancy: the black widow spider (latrodectus mactans).Toxin Reviews. 2019;38(3):171-175. doi:10.1080/15569543.2018.1435553National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Myasthenia gravis fact sheet.

15 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Picciotto MR, Higley MJ, Mineur YS.Acetylcholine as a neuromodulator: Cholinergic signaling shapes nervous system function and behavior.Neuron. 2012;76(1):116-129. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2012.08.036Sam C, Bordoni B.Physiology, acetylcholine. In:StatPearls[Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.Mental Health America.What is acetylcholine?National Center for Biotechnology Information.PubChem compound summary for CID 187, acetylcholine.Lombardo S, Maskos U.Role of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in Alzheimer’s disease pathology and treatment.Neuropharmacology. 2015;96:255-262. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.11.018Colovic MB, Krstic DZ, Lazarevic-Pasti TD, Bondzic AM, Vasic VM.Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: Pharmacology and toxicology.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2013;11(3):315-335. doi:10.2174/1570159X11311030006The Nobel Prize.Sir Henry Dale - facts.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Choline: Fact sheet for health professionals.Nguyen HH, Kidron A, Liu T, Nguyen N, Nguyen H, Vo A.Presentation and treatment of cholinergic crisis in the setting of carbamate poisoning.Clin Case Rep. 2021;9(4):1887-1889. doi:10.1002/ccr3.3805Ferreira-Vieira TH, Guimaraes IM, Silva FR, Ribeiro FM.Alzheimer’s disease: Targeting the cholinergic system.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2016;14(1):101-115. doi:10.2174/1570159x13666150716165726National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Myasthenia gravis fact sheet.Liu C.Targeting the cholinergic system in Parkinson’s disease.Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2020;41(4):453-463. doi:10.1038/s41401-020-0380-zHo TNT, Abraham N, Lewis RJ.Structure-function of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor Inhibitors derived from natural toxins.Front Neurosci. 2020;14:609005. doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.609005Troiano G, Bagnoli A, Mercone A, Nante N.Venomous bites during pregnancy: the black widow spider (latrodectus mactans).Toxin Reviews. 2019;38(3):171-175. doi:10.1080/15569543.2018.1435553National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Myasthenia gravis fact sheet.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Picciotto MR, Higley MJ, Mineur YS.Acetylcholine as a neuromodulator: Cholinergic signaling shapes nervous system function and behavior.Neuron. 2012;76(1):116-129. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2012.08.036Sam C, Bordoni B.Physiology, acetylcholine. In:StatPearls[Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.Mental Health America.What is acetylcholine?National Center for Biotechnology Information.PubChem compound summary for CID 187, acetylcholine.Lombardo S, Maskos U.Role of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in Alzheimer’s disease pathology and treatment.Neuropharmacology. 2015;96:255-262. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.11.018Colovic MB, Krstic DZ, Lazarevic-Pasti TD, Bondzic AM, Vasic VM.Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: Pharmacology and toxicology.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2013;11(3):315-335. doi:10.2174/1570159X11311030006The Nobel Prize.Sir Henry Dale - facts.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Choline: Fact sheet for health professionals.Nguyen HH, Kidron A, Liu T, Nguyen N, Nguyen H, Vo A.Presentation and treatment of cholinergic crisis in the setting of carbamate poisoning.Clin Case Rep. 2021;9(4):1887-1889. doi:10.1002/ccr3.3805Ferreira-Vieira TH, Guimaraes IM, Silva FR, Ribeiro FM.Alzheimer’s disease: Targeting the cholinergic system.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2016;14(1):101-115. doi:10.2174/1570159x13666150716165726National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Myasthenia gravis fact sheet.Liu C.Targeting the cholinergic system in Parkinson’s disease.Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2020;41(4):453-463. doi:10.1038/s41401-020-0380-zHo TNT, Abraham N, Lewis RJ.Structure-function of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor Inhibitors derived from natural toxins.Front Neurosci. 2020;14:609005. doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.609005Troiano G, Bagnoli A, Mercone A, Nante N.Venomous bites during pregnancy: the black widow spider (latrodectus mactans).Toxin Reviews. 2019;38(3):171-175. doi:10.1080/15569543.2018.1435553National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Myasthenia gravis fact sheet.

Picciotto MR, Higley MJ, Mineur YS.Acetylcholine as a neuromodulator: Cholinergic signaling shapes nervous system function and behavior.Neuron. 2012;76(1):116-129. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2012.08.036

Sam C, Bordoni B.Physiology, acetylcholine. In:StatPearls[Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.

Mental Health America.What is acetylcholine?

National Center for Biotechnology Information.PubChem compound summary for CID 187, acetylcholine.

Lombardo S, Maskos U.Role of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in Alzheimer’s disease pathology and treatment.Neuropharmacology. 2015;96:255-262. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.11.018

Colovic MB, Krstic DZ, Lazarevic-Pasti TD, Bondzic AM, Vasic VM.Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: Pharmacology and toxicology.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2013;11(3):315-335. doi:10.2174/1570159X11311030006

The Nobel Prize.Sir Henry Dale - facts.

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Choline: Fact sheet for health professionals.

Nguyen HH, Kidron A, Liu T, Nguyen N, Nguyen H, Vo A.Presentation and treatment of cholinergic crisis in the setting of carbamate poisoning.Clin Case Rep. 2021;9(4):1887-1889. doi:10.1002/ccr3.3805

Ferreira-Vieira TH, Guimaraes IM, Silva FR, Ribeiro FM.Alzheimer’s disease: Targeting the cholinergic system.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2016;14(1):101-115. doi:10.2174/1570159x13666150716165726

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Myasthenia gravis fact sheet.

Liu C.Targeting the cholinergic system in Parkinson’s disease.Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2020;41(4):453-463. doi:10.1038/s41401-020-0380-z

Ho TNT, Abraham N, Lewis RJ.Structure-function of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor Inhibitors derived from natural toxins.Front Neurosci. 2020;14:609005. doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.609005

Troiano G, Bagnoli A, Mercone A, Nante N.Venomous bites during pregnancy: the black widow spider (latrodectus mactans).Toxin Reviews. 2019;38(3):171-175. doi:10.1080/15569543.2018.1435553

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