acetylcholine
/əˌsɛt.əlˈkoʊ.liːn/
Definition
A neurotransmitter that acts on specific receptors in the brain to facilitate cognitive processes, memory, and learning; in this article, it refers to the chemical signaling system that is dysfunctional in patients with schizophrenia.
Etymology
The word is a chemical compound formed from the roots 'acetyl' (derived from acetic acid, from the Latin 'acetum' meaning vinegar) and 'choline' (from the Greek 'chole' meaning bile, where the substance was first isolated). It was named in the early 20th century to describe its precise chemical structure as an ester of acetic acid and choline.
In the news
The article discusses how deficiencies in the muscarinic acetylcholine system, particularly the M1 receptor, are linked to the cognitive impairments experienced by individuals with schizophrenia. This finding highlights a potential pathway for new, non-dopaminergic drug treatments.
Brain imaging now reveals receptor dysfunction in living patients with schizophrenia
Read the full article ↗Medical Xpress