Acetylcholine, Atropine and Related Cholinergics and Anticholinergics

  • M. A. Zar
Chapter
Part of the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology book series (HEP, volume 87 / 1)

Abstract

There are sound reasons for believing that of all the neurotransmitters, acetylcholine (Fig. 1) was the earliest to appear during evolution (MICHAELSON 1974). It must be attributed to fortuitous coincidence that acetylcholine was also the first neurotransmitter to be isolated and identified in that role (LOEWI 1921; LOEWI and NAVRATIL 1926). Brilliant though the first definite demonstration of neurohumoral transmission by Loewi was, it must be appreciated that firm theoretical background for his research had been laid down earlier by the meticulously accurate comparison of the response to acetylcholine and to stimulation of parasympathetic nerves (DALE 1914).

Keywords

Muscarinic Receptor Sweat Gland Anticholinergic Drug Anticholinergic Agent Eccrine Sweat Gland 
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© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1989

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  • M. A. Zar

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