cholinesterase
noun
cho·lin·es·ter·ase
ˌkō-lə-ˈne-stə-ˌrās 
-ˌrāz
1
: an enzyme that occurs chiefly at neuromuscular junctions and promotes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine at postsynaptic receptors : acetylcholinesterase
Examples of cholinesterase in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s where cholinesterase inhibitors can come in.
—
Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 24 Mar. 2025
However, some treatments, such as cholinesterase inhibitors and glutamate regulators, may help people manage symptoms of the illness.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 2 Nov. 2024
As a cholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil works by inhibiting cholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, aiming to preserve the patient's level of this neurotransmitter.
—Mariana Lenharo, Health.com, 13 Apr. 2022
Namenda is a glutamate regulator and Namzaric is a combination cholinesterase inhibitor and glutamate regulator.
—Byrichard Eisenberg, Fortune Well, 15 June 2023
Pharmaceutical companies built on this work to develop drugs generally called cholinesterase inhibitors that increased acetylcholine in the brain by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down, allowing more of the neurotransmitter to stay around to stimulate nerve cells.
—Susan Molchan, STAT, 12 July 2021
This drug is a cholinesterase inhibitor which works by preventing the normal breakdown of acetylcholine, Dr. Stolbach explains, which then pushes more acetylcholine into the brain's synapses and counters the anticholinergic effects of diphenhydramine.
—Sarah Jacoby, SELF, 4 Sep. 2020
In addition to donepezil, there are two other cholinesterase inhibitors: galantamine and rivastigmine (the one that also has a patch version).
—Mariana Lenharo, Health.com, 13 Apr. 2022
Donepezil and others like it, such galantamine and rivastigmine, belong to a class of medications called cholinesterase inhibitors, typically prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 9 June 2021
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Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 24 Mar. 2025
However, some treatments, such as cholinesterase inhibitors and glutamate regulators, may help people manage symptoms of the illness.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 2 Nov. 2024
As a cholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil works by inhibiting cholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, aiming to preserve the patient's level of this neurotransmitter.
—Mariana Lenharo, Health.com, 13 Apr. 2022
Namenda is a glutamate regulator and Namzaric is a combination cholinesterase inhibitor and glutamate regulator.
—Byrichard Eisenberg, Fortune Well, 15 June 2023
Pharmaceutical companies built on this work to develop drugs generally called cholinesterase inhibitors that increased acetylcholine in the brain by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down, allowing more of the neurotransmitter to stay around to stimulate nerve cells.
—Susan Molchan, STAT, 12 July 2021
This drug is a cholinesterase inhibitor which works by preventing the normal breakdown of acetylcholine, Dr. Stolbach explains, which then pushes more acetylcholine into the brain's synapses and counters the anticholinergic effects of diphenhydramine.
—Sarah Jacoby, SELF, 4 Sep. 2020
In addition to donepezil, there are two other cholinesterase inhibitors: galantamine and rivastigmine (the one that also has a patch version).
—Mariana Lenharo, Health.com, 13 Apr. 2022
Donepezil and others like it, such galantamine and rivastigmine, belong to a class of medications called cholinesterase inhibitors, typically prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 9 June 2021
Cite this Entry
“Cholinesterase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cholinesterase. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
cholinesterase
noun
cho·lin·es·ter·ase
ˌkō-lə-ˈnes-tə-ˌrās, -ˌrāz
1
: an enzyme that occurs chiefly at neuromuscular junctions and promotes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine at postsynaptic receptors : acetylcholinesterase
The acetylcholine released by cholinergic fibers is rapidly decomposed by the action of cholinesterase.—John W. Hole, Human Anatomy & Physiology
John W. Hole, Human Anatomy & PhysiologyAs a cholinesterase inhibitor, it increases parasympathetic nervous system activity.—T. A. Farley et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association
T. A. Farley et al., The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
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