Acetylcholine

Published: 07.05.2012

Strukturformel des Neurotransmitters Acetylcholin
Acetylcholine plays a crucial role in both the autonomic nervous system and at the interface between motor nerves and skeletal muscles. However, cholinergic neurons are also found in the brain. Cholinergic neurons are involved in controlling attention and brain excitability during sleep and wakefulness cycles.

You can find more information on the topic of neurotransmitters in our article by Ulrich Pontes. ▸ Neurotransmitters – Messenger Molecules in the Brain

Acetylcholine

Acetylcholin/-/acetylcholine

Acetylcholine is one of the most important neurotransmitters in the nervous system. In the central nervous system, it is involved in attention, learning, and memory; in the peripheral nervous system, it transmits excitation from nerves to muscles at the neuromuscular end plates and controls processes of the autonomic nervous system, i.e., the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts. Areas in which acetylcholine acts as a messenger substance are called cholinergic. It was the first neurotransmitter to be discovered, identified in 1921 by Otto Loewi in the heart of a frog.

Acetylcholine

Acetylcholin/-/acetylcholine

Acetylcholine is one of the most important neurotransmitters in the nervous system. In the central nervous system, it is involved in attention, learning, and memory; in the peripheral nervous system, it transmits excitation from nerves to muscles at the neuromuscular end plates and controls processes of the autonomic nervous system, i.e., the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts. Areas in which acetylcholine acts as a messenger substance are called cholinergic. It was the first neurotransmitter to be discovered, identified in 1921 by Otto Loewi in the heart of a frog.

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