Toxicology of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (I) - Neurotransmission

Short video (Part I of the 3 part series) illustrating the cholinergic neurotransmission. The issue of the nerve agent VX, was recently raised publicly. VX is a very potent organophosphate inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase.

Acetylcholinesterase is a very important enzyme that hydrolyses acetylcholine in the synaptic clefts of cholinergic neurones. By so doing, it is able to terminate neuronal transmission. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors prevent degradation of acetylcholine, and leads to an excess of cholinergic transmission.

Cholinergic excess results in a Toxidrome which is important to recognize and diagnose.

Essentially, these effects relate to effects at the muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.

Muscarinic effects include: lacrimation, pupil constriction, bradycardia, salivation, emesis, defecation, gastrointestinal cramps

Nicotinic effects include: sweating, pupil dilation, bronchodilation, tachycardia, hypertension, fasciculations,
weakness/paralysis leading to respiratory failure

The next video (Part II) will look at the different drugs and poisons that act this way.
   • Toxicology of Acetylcholinesterase In...  

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

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