Knowra Anticholinergic Anticholinergic An anticholinergic is a substance that reduces signaling by acetylcholine, commonly by blocking muscarinic or nicotinic receptors. Its effects depend on which receptors and tissues it affects.
Acetylcholine : A neurotransmitter used by neurons to communicate with other neurons, muscles, and gland cells. Anticholinergics reduce signaling by interfering with this neurotransmitter’s action.
Atropine : A plant-derived drug that blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. It is used for bradycardia, organophosphate poisoning, and selected eye procedures.
Anticholinergic toxidrome : A pattern of symptoms caused by excessive antimuscarinic activity, including delirium, dry skin, urinary retention, and dilated pupils. It describes the acute syndrome produced by substantial muscarinic blockade.
Cholinergic : Describing a neuron, receptor, drug, or process that uses, responds to, or promotes acetylcholine signaling. Cholinergic actions promote or use the signaling that anticholinergics reduce.
Dementia : A syndrome of acquired cognitive decline severe enough to interfere with independent daily functioning. Studies examine whether sustained anticholinergic exposure is associated with later dementia risk.
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor : A family of G protein-coupled receptors activated by acetylcholine in the brain and peripheral tissues. Many clinically used anticholinergics block these receptors.
Scopolamine : A muscarinic receptor antagonist used chiefly to prevent motion sickness and postoperative nausea. Its central and peripheral anticholinergic effects make it useful for motion sickness.
Anticholinergic burden : The cumulative anticholinergic activity of a person’s medications, often considered in relation to adverse effects. Several individually modest drugs can combine to produce clinically significant effects.
Cholinesterase inhibitor : A substance that inhibits enzymes that break down acetylcholine, increasing its availability at synapses. It generally increases acetylcholine signaling rather than blocking its receptors.
Causality : A relationship in which one event or condition contributes to producing another. Observed associations between medication exposure and dementia do not by themselves establish causation.
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