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An acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (often abbreviated AChEI) or anti-cholinesterase is a chemical or a drug that inhibits the acetylcholinesterase enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine, thereby increasing both the level and duration of action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are classified as reversible, irreversible, or quasi-irreversible (also called pseudo-irreversible). == Uses == Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: * Occur naturally as venoms and poisons * Are used as weapons in the form of nerve agents * Are used as insecticides * Are used medicinally: * * To treat myasthenia gravis. In myasthenia gravis, they are used to increase neuromuscular transmission. * * To treat glaucoma * * To treat postural tachycardia syndrome * * As an antidote to anticholinergic poisoning * * To reverse the effect of non-depolarising muscle relaxants * * To treat neuropsychiatric symptoms of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, particularly apathy * * To increase chances of lucid dreaming (by prolonging REM sleep) * * To treat Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's disease. In these neurodegenerative conditions AChEIs are primarily used to treat the cognitive (memory and learning deficits mostly) symptoms of dementia. These symptoms are attenuated due to the role of acetylcholine in cognition in the CNS. There is some evidence to suggest that AChEIs may attenuate psychotic symptoms (especially visual hallucinations) in Parkinson's disease. * * To treat cognitive impairments in patients with schizophrenia. There is some evidence to suggest efficacy in treating positive, negative and affective symptoms. * * As a treatment for autism and to increase the percentage of Rapid eye movement sleep in autistic children, in line with the mechanism by which they encourage lucid dreaming. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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