acetylcholine
noun
ace·tyl·cho·line
| \ ə-ˌse-tᵊl-ˈkō-ˌlēn
, -ˌsē-; ˈa-sə-ˌtēl-\
, -ˌsē-; ˈa-sə-ˌtēl-\
Definition of acetylcholine
: a neurotransmitter [C7H16NO2]+ released at autonomic synapses and neuromuscular junctions and formed enzymatically in the tissues from choline
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Examples of acetylcholine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This is apparently caused by stimulating receptors in the brain that are also targeted by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "USC and UC San Diego try to move on after painful fight over Alzheimer’s institute," 18 Aug. 2019 Anticholinergics work by blocking the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which helps regulate a variety of organ systems. — Katherine Ellen Foley, Quartz, "A new study that ties common medications to dementia highlights the need for early detection," 27 June 2019 Often, blocking acetylcholine can alleviate symptoms caused by other conditions, including incontinence, asthma, or even seizures. — Katherine Ellen Foley, Quartz, "A new study that ties common medications to dementia highlights the need for early detection," 27 June 2019 Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking a brain chemical called acetylcholine, which is critical for regulating muscles and for controlling messages sent to the nervous system. — Alice Park, Time, "Despite the Headlines, We Don't Yet Know If Anticholinergic Drugs Contribute to Dementia Risk," 26 June 2019 For example, in the heart, the vagus nerve releases a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. — Anne R. Crecelius, The Conversation, "Why do people faint?," 20 June 2019 Agents like Novichok can enter the body by being eaten or inhaled, or through the skin, and block the action of cholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down a nervous-system protein called acetylcholine. — Fortune, "What Is Novichok? Why the Russian Nerve Agent Is So Dangerous," 5 July 2018 Anticholinergic drugs function by blocking the effects of acetylcholine, a chemical released by nerve cells to send signals to other nerves and muscles. — Mark Lieber, CNN, "Certain common medications tied to 30% higher dementia risk, study finds," 25 Apr. 2018 Freeing up cholesterase production is essential to stop the uncontrolled bombardment of organs and muscles with the acetylcholine nerve signals. — Deutsche Welle, USA TODAY, "Novichok: What is Russia's dangerous poison used in ex-spy Sergei Skripal's case?," 13 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acetylcholine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for acetylcholine
acetylcholine
noun
ace·tyl·cho·line
| \ ə-ˌset-ᵊl-ˈkō-ˌlēn
, -ˌsēt-; ˌas-ə-ˌtēl-
\
, -ˌsēt-; ˌas-ə-ˌtēl-
\
Medical Definition of acetylcholine
: a neurotransmitter [C7H16NO2]+ released at autonomic synapses and neuromuscular junctions, active in the transmission of nerve impulses, and formed enzymatically in the tissues from choline
Other Words from acetylcholine
acetylcholinic
\ -kō-ˈlin-ik
\
adjective
\
adjective