Cholinergic (Adjective)
Meaning
Releasing or activated by acetylcholine or a related compound.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The parasympathetic nervous system uses cholinergic transmission to slow down the heart rate and promote digestion.
- Muscarinic and nicotinic receptors are the two main types of cholinergic receptors that respond to acetylcholine in the nervous system.
- Cholinergic agonists, such as carbachol, are used in eye drops to reduce intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.
- Acetylcholine acts on cholinergic receptors in the muscles to cause muscle contraction.
- The neurotransmitter release of cholinergic neurons plays a key role in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle.