Contents


**Chapter 7 127** Neurotoxin Decontamination *by Dongmei Ye and Susan Rempe*

Preface

This book, *Acetylcholine – Recent Advances and New Perspectives*, comes more than 100 years after the discovery of acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter in 1921 by Otto Loewi. Since then, the study of this neurotransmitter has been a magnificent chronicle in terms of its chemistry, biochemistry, function in the central and peripheral nervous system, and its relevance for neurological disorders and diseases. To this day, the study of acetylcholine and its receptors astounds us with novel features and exciting news. This book focuses on the role of this neurotransmitter in the physiology of individual neurons as well as in neural circuits and specific brain regions. It illustrates acetylcholine in all its dimensions, from historical perspectives to technological advances, as well as the use of novel tools in health and disease, in various animal models and organisms related to this critical neurotransmitter. Targeted at students and researchers in biological, chemical, medical and history disciplines, this book provides an overview of the work that is being done on this key signaling molecule of the nervous system and brain and highlights any gaps and areas that would benefit from further exploration.

The book is organized into two sections. Section 1, "Acetylcholine, Receptors and Diseases", includes five chapters. Section 2 "Acetylcholine Esterase, Neurotoxin",

Chapter 1, "Introductory Chapter: The Neurotransmitter Acetylcholine – A Young Centenarian" by Thomas Heinbockel, outlines the events leading to the discovery of acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter and the role that Otto Loewi and Henry Dale

In Chapter 2, "Avian Muscarinic Receptors: An Update", Presannan Usha Aswathy, Suresh Narayanan Nair, Basavapura Mahadevappa Sanjay and Sanis Juliet take the reader to the world of birds. The authors review the distribution of avian muscarinic receptor subtypes, the characterization of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in various organs and organ systems, and the sequence similarity of muscarinic acetylcholine

Chapter 3, "Central Nicotinic and Muscarinic Receptors in Health and Disease" by Yousef Tizabi, Bruk Getachew, Vassiliy Tsytsarev, Antonei B. Csoka, Robert L. Copeland and Thomas Heinbockel, provides a detailed account of the interaction of nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Following a brief description of acetylcholine actions and its central circuitry, the authors give an update on muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and how their interaction may impact neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, the authors touch upon potential novel therapeutic interventions based on these interactions, particularly in

Chapter 4, "Modes of Acetylcholine Signaling in the Prefrontal Cortex: Implications for Cholinergic Dysfunction and Disorders" by Matthew Fecik and Lisa M. Savage, reviews

receptor subtypes between various birds and animals.

relation to Alzheimer and Parkinson disease.

includes two chapters.

played in its discovery.
