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acetylcholine

noun
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ace·​tyl·​cho·​line | \ ə-ˌse-tᵊl-ˈkō-ˌlēn How to pronounce acetylcholine (audio) , -ˌsē-; ˈa-sə-ˌtēl- \

Definition of acetylcholine

: a neurotransmitter [C7H16NO2]+ released at autonomic synapses and neuromuscular junctions and formed enzymatically in the tissues from choline
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Examples of acetylcholine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This ends up leaving more acetylcholine intact, Dr. Tan says, which may help improve a patient's memory. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "How Exactly Do Different Kinds of Alzheimer’s Medications Work?," 6 Dec. 2018 The Karuna drug, called KarXT, works by targeting muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain. — Adam Feuerstein, STAT, "A new approach to treating schizophrenia delivers positive results in mid-stage trial," 18 Nov. 2019 This is apparently caused by stimulating receptors in the brain that are also targeted by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "USC and UC San Diego try to move on after painful fight over Alzheimer’s institute," 18 Aug. 2019 Anticholinergics work by blocking the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which helps regulate a variety of organ systems. — Katherine Ellen Foley, Quartz, "A new study that ties common medications to dementia highlights the need for early detection," 27 June 2019 Often, blocking acetylcholine can alleviate symptoms caused by other conditions, including incontinence, asthma, or even seizures. — Katherine Ellen Foley, Quartz, "A new study that ties common medications to dementia highlights the need for early detection," 27 June 2019 Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking a brain chemical called acetylcholine, which is critical for regulating muscles and for controlling messages sent to the nervous system. — Alice Park, Time, "Despite the Headlines, We Don't Yet Know If Anticholinergic Drugs Contribute to Dementia Risk," 26 June 2019 For example, in the heart, the vagus nerve releases a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. — Anne R. Crecelius, The Conversation, "Why do people faint?," 20 June 2019 Agents like Novichok can enter the body by being eaten or inhaled, or through the skin, and block the action of cholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down a nervous-system protein called acetylcholine. — Fortune, "What Is Novichok? Why the Russian Nerve Agent Is So Dangerous," 5 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acetylcholine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of acetylcholine

1906, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for acetylcholine

borrowed from German Acetylcholin, from Acetyl acetyl + Cholin choline

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Time Traveler for acetylcholine

Time Traveler

The first known use of acetylcholine was in 1906

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Statistics for acetylcholine

Last Updated

5 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Acetylcholine.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetylcholine. Accessed 16 December 2019.

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More Definitions for acetylcholine

acetylcholine

noun
ace·​tyl·​cho·​line | \ ə-ˌset-ᵊl-ˈkō-ˌlēn How to pronounce acetylcholine (audio) , -ˌsēt-; ˌas-ə-ˌtēl- How to pronounce acetylcholine (audio) \

Medical Definition of acetylcholine

: a neurotransmitter [C7H16NO2]+ released at autonomic synapses and neuromuscular junctions, active in the transmission of nerve impulses, and formed enzymatically in the tissues from choline

Other Words from acetylcholine

acetylcholinic \ -​kō-​ˈlin-​ik How to pronounce acetylcholinic (audio) \ adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on acetylcholine

Nglish: Translation of acetylcholine for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about acetylcholine

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