muscarinic

adjective

mus·​ca·​rin·​ic ˌmə-skə-ˈri-nik 

: of, relating to, resembling, producing, or mediating the parasympathetic effects (such as a slowed heart rate and increased activity of smooth muscle) produced by muscarine

muscarinic receptors

compare nicotinic

Examples of muscarinic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The drug targets part of the brain called the muscarinic acetylcholine system using the compound xanomeline, which stimulates parts of the surface of neurons—called M1 and M4 receptors—to reduce dopamine transmission. —WIRED, 10 Feb. 2023

Both calcium channels and muscarinic receptors regulate signals for smooth muscle thickening; carbachol and potassium interaction with these signaling pathways leads to airway constrictions. —Alice Chi Phung, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2014

Trospium chloride, which was approved for treating an overact bladder, blocks muscarinic receptors outside of the brain to cancel out the actions of xanomeline. —Ryan Cross, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022

The Karuna drug, called KarXT, works by targeting muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain. —Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 18 Nov. 2019

All nerve agent victims are given atropine, which blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. —Richard Stone, Science | AAAS, 19 Mar. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

muscarinic

adjective

mus·​ca·​rin·​ic -kə-ˌrin-ik 

: relating to, resembling, producing, or mediating the effects (as a slowed heart rate, increased secretion by exocrine glands, and increased activity of smooth muscle) that are produced on organs and tissues by acetylcholine liberated by postganglionic nerve fibers of the parasympathetic nervous system and that are mimicked by muscarine

muscarinic receptors

atropine is a muscarinic antagonist

compare nicotinic