cholinesterase

noun

cho·lin·es·ter·ase | \ ˌkō-lə-ˈne-stə-ˌrās

, -ˌrāz \

Definition of cholinesterase

1 : an enzyme that occurs chiefly at neuromuscular junctions and promotes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine at postsynaptic receptors : acetylcholinesterase

2 : butyrylcholinesterase

Examples of cholinesterase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Carbamates and organophosphates, both pesticides, use cholinesterase inhibitors to neutralize the nervous system of insects. — Miriam Berger, Washington Post, "What are the chemicals doctors say may have been used to poison Alexei Navalny?," 26 Aug. 2020 The nerve agent is a cholinesterase inhibitor, part of the class of substances that doctors at Charite said last week had shown up in Navalny's system. — Arkansas Online, "Germany says Soviet-era nerve agent used on Russia's Navalny," 2 Sep. 2020 The nerve agent is a cholinesterase inhibitor, part of the class of substances that doctors at the Charite initially identified in Navalny. — Geir Moulson, Anchorage Daily News, "Russian opposition politician was poisoned with Soviet-era nerve agent, Germany says," 2 Sep. 2020 Still, Loeb notes that cholinesterase inhibitors, which are often used for people with Alzheimer's, can help improve cognition and alertness in patients with Lewy body dementia. — Jayme Deerwester, USA TODAY, "What is Lewy body dementia, the disease Robin Williams' widow called 'the terrorist' inside his brain?," 2 Sep. 2020 German doctors have confirmed Navalny had symptoms of poisoning, likely by a cholinesterase inhibitor, which includes highly toxic chemical nerve agents and pesticides. — Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, "Another Kremlin critic is attacked, as opposition leader Navalny recovers in German hospital," 31 Aug. 2020 Doctors in Berlin said he was exposed to a cholinesterase inhibitor, a chemical group that includes some nerve agents, though the exact compound hasn’t yet been identified. — Iain Rogers, Bloomberg.com, "Alexey Navalny’s Condition Is Serious But Stable, Berlin Hospital Says," 29 Aug. 2020 Found in some drugs, pesticides and chemical nerve agents, cholinesterase inhibitors block the breakdown of a key chemical in the body, acetycholine, that transmits signals between nerve cells. — Fox News, "Putin critic Alexei Navalny remains in coma but improving after suspected poisoning, German doctors say," 28 Aug. 2020 After the announcement in Berlin, the ministry of health for the Siberian region of Omsk issued a statement challenging the diagnosis, saying Navalny’s symptoms were not consistent with cholinesterase inhibitors. — Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, "Navalny, a Putin critic, was poisoned, German doctors say," 24 Aug. 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about cholinesterase

Dictionary Entries near cholinesterase

Statistics for cholinesterase

Cite this Entry

“Cholinesterase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cholinesterase. Accessed 15 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for cholinesterase

cholinesterase

noun

cho·lin·es·ter·ase | \ ˌkō-lə-ˈnes-tə-ˌrās, -ˌrāz

Medical Definition of cholinesterase

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, 1981 As a cholinesterase inhibitor, it increases parasympathetic nervous system activity.— T. A. Farley et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2 June 1999

2 : butyrylcholinesterase

Comments on cholinesterase

What made you want to look up cholinesterase? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).