Acetylcholine

Abstract

Acetylcholine was the first identified neurotransmitter; it was acetylcholine which was released in response to stimulation of the vagus nerve in Loewi’s experiment described in Chapter 1. Studies have shown that acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter at the following sites:

• 1. All preganglionic nerve terminals (both parasympathetic and sympathetic) of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), i.e. autonomic ganglia;

• 2. All postganglionic parasympathetic nerve terminals;

• 3. The neuromuscular junction (of voluntary nerve to skeletal muscle);

• 4. The adrenal medulla;

• 5. The central nervous system (CNS);

• 6. Postganglionic sympathetic nerve terminals at sweat glands.