Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine
(ACh) was the
Introduction: first neurotransmitter
to be discovered by
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter, or brain chemical, that plays an Henry Dale in 1914,
and its existence was
important role in many key aspects of brain function, such as memory, later confirmed by
thinking, learning and muscle function. It plays a vital role in the central Otto Loewi. Both
were awarded the
and peripheral nervous system. Acetylcholine levels are high during waking Nobel Prize in
and rapid eye movement (REM; also known as paradoxical) sleep and while Physiology or
Medicine in 1936 for
you are awake. It seems to help your brain keep information gathered their discovery.
while you are awake. It then sets that information as you sleep.
Imbalances in acetylcholine are linked with chronic conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s
disease.

Origin of Acetylcholine:

Acetylcholine originates from two major places in the brain: basal forebrain and the mesopontine
tegmentum area. It's produced from acetyl coenzyme A, which comes from the sugar molecule glucose,
and choline, with the help of an enzyme called choline acetyltransferase. Choline is a nutrient precursor of
acetylcholine. The body uses choline to produce acetylcholine. The diet we take derived the choline is
taken up by cholinergic neurons via choline uptake transporter (ChT) where it combines with acetyl
molecules that produced from the metabolism of glucose. Here, it builds up in the synaptic terminal where
it recombines with acetyl molecules.

Acetylcholine signaling is stimulated by calcium influx into the

synaptic terminal caused by an action potential. The synaptic
terminal is a specialized region within the axon of the presynaptic
cell – the cell that contains Acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine has numerous functions in the body. It can be found

in all motor neurons, where it stimulates muscles to contract.
From the movements of the stomach and heart to the blink of an eye, all of the body's movements involve
the actions of this important neurotransmitter.

On the other hand acetylcholine levels work for many functions, it is most commonly associated with
memory, cognition, and sleep. It is deficient in the brains of those with late-stage Alzheimer disease.
Some of the common functions of acetylcholine include:

 ACh supports and regulates different types of memory including long-term and working memory. In
addition, it is implicated in different phases of memory from memory formation to consolidation
and retrieval.
 The activation of cholinergic receptors in areas of the brain such as the hippocampus, the
amygdala, and the cerebral cortex is necessary for these processes to occur.
 Decreases in levels of acetylcholine also cause multiple motor side-effects, such as tremors and
problems with coordination. These are features of age-related diseases that are accompanied by
other symptoms such as poor memory and attention.
 Acetylcholine can up regulate glutamatergic synaptic transmission and boost the function of
plasticity, which is the strengthening or weakening of signals between neurons over time that affect
memory.

Role of Acetylcholine in Peripheral Nervous system:

ACh is the chief neurotransmitter of the Peripheral nervous system, In the PNS; acetylcholine is a major
part of the somatic nervous system. Within this system, it plays an excitatory role leading to the voluntary
activation of muscles.

Within the autonomic system, acetylcholine controls a number of functions by acting on neurons in the
sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. It is also involved in the contraction of smooth muscles and
dilation of blood vessels, and it can promote increased body secretions and a slower heart rate.

For example, the brain might send out a signal to move the right arm. The signal is carried by nerve fibers
to the neuromuscular junctions. The signal is transmitted across this junction by acetylcholine, triggering
the desired response in those specific muscles.

Role of Acetylcholine in Central nervous system:

Acetylcholine also acts at various sites within the CNS, where it can
function as a neurotransmitter and as a neuromodulator. In the
central nervous system, Acetylcholine is found primarily in
interneurons. Acetylcholine is a critical neurotransmitter that plays
an important role in the normal function of the brain and body. It
plays a role in motivation, arousal, attention, learning, and memory,
and is also involved in promoting REM sleep. Disrupted levels of
acetylcholine may be associated with conditions such as Alzheimer's
disease.
Acetylcholine Dysfunction

Acetylcholine's function in the body can be disrupted by a variety of causes, including disease and toxins. Imbalances
in this important neurotransmitter can lead to a number of health consequences, many of which impact memory
and muscle control. Some of the diseases due to imbalance of acetylcholine include:

 Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease causes problems with memory and thinking. It is an example of a condition that may be
caused by acetylcholine deficiency. The exact causes of the condition are unknown, but the disease affects
acetylcholine, leading to low levels of the neurotransmitter.

 Myasthenia Gravis
“Myasthenia gravis” literally “grave muscle weakness,” but many cases are mild, and life expectancy is
normal. Myasthenia gravis is a condition that leads to muscle weakness. It can affect muscles in the arms,
legs, neck, hands, and fingers. It is an autoimmune condition that occurs when the body's immune system
attacks acetylcholine receptors.

 Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurological condition that causes tremors and involuntary
movements. While the exact causes of the condition are not fully understood, acetylcholine imbalances are
believed to play a role.

How to increase acetylcholine:

Though acetylcholine plays a key role in many aspects of your health, there are no dietary supplements that can
directly increase its levels. However, you can eat foods or take dietary supplements that indirectly increase the
release of acetylcholine or inhibit its breakdown. Choline is also a building block of acetylcholine. The body requires
choline for proper brain and nervous system function. It is also necessary for muscle control and to create healthy
membranes around the body’s cells.

People must get enough choline from their diets to produce adequate levels of acetylcholine. One of the easiest
ways to raise acetylcholine levels is to consume foods or take dietary supplements that are high in choline. Choline is
present in many foods, including meat, fish, eggs, beans, whole grains, dairy products, nuts, seeds.

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