Toxicology of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (II) - Drugs and Poisons

This is the second short video of a 3 part series on the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. The focus here is on the various drugs and poisons that act through this mechanism.

Therapeutically, these drugs can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of myasthenia gravis, as well as in the treatment of glaucoma. Examples of therapeutic agents include - edrophonium, neostigmine, physostigmine, pyridostigmine, diisofluorophosphate, echothiophate.

Chemicals that act this way are used also as insecticides. The main classes are the carbamates (reversible) - e.g. carbaryl, and the organophosphates (irreversible) - malathion.

The organophosphates are very potent and toxic chemicals because they bind irreversibly to acetylcholinesterase.

Organophosphates have also been exploited as chemical warfare agents. There are 2 series of these chemicals - the G and the V series. The G series include volatile chemical such as - tabun, sarin, soman. The most well known member of the V series is the infamous VX. VX is not volatile and produces its toxicity through contact and dermal absorption.

The previous video (Part I) looking at cholinergic neurotransmission and the role of acetylcholinesterase can be found here:
   • Toxicology of Acetylcholinesterase In...  

The next video (Part III) will look at the principles of management of poisoning with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors


The playlist for this 3 part series can be found here:
   • Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors  

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