cholinesterase

noun

cho·​lin·​es·​ter·​ase ˌkō-lə-ˈne-stə-ˌrās How to pronounce cholinesterase (audio)
-ˌrāz
1
: an enzyme that occurs chiefly at neuromuscular junctions and promotes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine at postsynaptic receptors : acetylcholinesterase
2

Examples of cholinesterase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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However, some treatments, such as cholinesterase inhibitors and glutamate regulators, may help people manage symptoms of the illness. Maggie O'Neill, Health, 2 Nov. 2024 As a cholinesterase inhibitor, donepezil works by inhibiting cholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, aiming to preserve the patient's level of this neurotransmitter. Mariana Lenharo, Health.com, 13 Apr. 2022 Namenda is a glutamate regulator and Namzaric is a combination cholinesterase inhibitor and glutamate regulator. Byrichard Eisenberg, Fortune Well, 15 June 2023 Pharmaceutical companies built on this work to develop drugs generally called cholinesterase inhibitors that increased acetylcholine in the brain by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down, allowing more of the neurotransmitter to stay around to stimulate nerve cells. Susan Molchan, STAT, 12 July 2021 This drug is a cholinesterase inhibitor which works by preventing the normal breakdown of acetylcholine, Dr. Stolbach explains, which then pushes more acetylcholine into the brain's synapses and counters the anticholinergic effects of diphenhydramine. Sarah Jacoby, SELF, 4 Sep. 2020 In addition to donepezil, there are two other cholinesterase inhibitors: galantamine and rivastigmine (the one that also has a patch version). Mariana Lenharo, Health.com, 13 Apr. 2022 Donepezil and others like it, such galantamine and rivastigmine, belong to a class of medications called cholinesterase inhibitors, typically prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 9 June 2021 Carbamates and organophosphates, both pesticides, use cholinesterase inhibitors to neutralize the nervous system of insects. Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cholinesterase was in 1932

Dictionary Entries Near cholinesterase

Cite this Entry

“Cholinesterase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cholinesterase. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

cholinesterase

noun
cho·​lin·​es·​ter·​ase ˌkō-lə-ˈnes-tə-ˌrās, -ˌrāz How to pronounce cholinesterase (audio)
1
: an enzyme that occurs chiefly at neuromuscular junctions and promotes the hydrolysis of acetylcholine at postsynaptic receptors : acetylcholinesterase
The acetylcholine released by cholinergic fibers is rapidly decomposed by the action of cholinesterase.John W. Hole, Human Anatomy & Physiology
As a cholinesterase inhibitor, it increases parasympathetic nervous system activity.T. A. Farley et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association
2

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