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Cholinergic neuropharmacology: an update
Author(s) -
Palacios J. M.,
Boddeke H. W. G. M.,
PomboVillar E.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1991.tb03106.x
Subject(s) - neuropharmacology , cholinergic , acetylcholinesterase , muscarinic acetylcholine receptor , nicotinic agonist , acetylcholine , pharmacology , neuroscience , medicine , receptor , chemistry , psychology , enzyme , biochemistry
The current status of the pharmacology of central cholinergic transmission is reviewed. Particular attention is paid to the compounds that have been or are potential candidates as therapeutic agents for the treatment of mental disorders, particularly senile dementia. Compounds affecting acetylcholine synthesis, storage and release, affecting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, acting on nicotinic cholinergic receptors, as well as compounds acting on muscarinic cholinergic receptors are reviewed. It is concluded that the most promising approaches for the development of new therapeutic agents might be specific acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and compounds with specific action at only one of the muscarinic cholinergic receptor subtypes.