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A cholinergic neuron is a nerve cell which mainly uses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) to send its messages. Many neurological systems are cholinergic.Cholinergic neurons provide the primary source of acetylcholine to the cerebral cortex, and promote cortical activation during both wakefulness and rapid eye movement sleep. [1]
In the autonomic nervous system, nerve fibers from the central nervous system to the ganglion are known as preganglionic nerve fibers.All preganglionic fibers, whether they are in the sympathetic division or in the parasympathetic division, are cholinergic (that is, these fibers use acetylcholine as their neurotransmitter) and they are myelinated.
One early study showed that in the developing rat optic nerves, formation of oligodendrocytes and subsequent myelination occurs postnatal. In the optic nerve, the oligodendrocyte cells divided for the final time at five days, with the onset of myelin formation occurring on or around day 6 or 7.
Cholinergic agents are compounds which mimic the action of acetylcholine and/or butyrylcholine. [1] In general, the word " choline " describes the various quaternary ammonium salts containing the N , N , N -trimethylethanolammonium cation .
In the parasympathetic division, neurons are cholinergic. That is to say acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter responsible for the communication between neurons on the parasympathetic pathway. In the sympathetic division, neurons are mostly adrenergic (that is, epinephrine and norepinephrine function as the primary neurotransmitters).
Myelin's best known function is to increase the rate at which information, encoded as electrical charges, passes along the axon's length. Myelin achieves this by eliciting saltatory conduction. [1] Saltatory conduction refers to the fact that electrical impulses 'jump' along the axon, over long myelin sheaths, from one node of Ranvier to the next.
The myelin sheath that surrounds and protects nerve cells is made by cells called oligodendrocytes. In a person with MS, these cells are lost, so damaged myelin sheaths cannot be repaired.
The nucleus basalis in humans is a somewhat diffuse collection of large cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain. [2] The main body of the nucleus basalis lies inferior to the anterior commissure and the globus pallidus , and lateral to the anterior hypothalamus in an area known as the substantia innominata . [ 1 ]