Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

Not to be confused with Cholinesterase inhibitor, Anticholinergic, or ACE inhibitor.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) is a type of cholinesterase inhibitors, that inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase from breaking down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into choline and acetate. This increases both the level and duration of action of acetylcholine in the central nervous system, autonomic ganglia and neuromuscular junctions, which are rich in acetylcholine receptors. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are one of two types of cholinesterase inhibitors; The other type is the butyryl-cholinesterase inhibitor. Acetylcholinesterase is the primary member of the cholinesterase enzyme family.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are classified as reversible, irreversible, or quasi-irreversible (also called pseudo-irreversible).

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