Neuroscience Online

Section I: Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology 11. Acetylcholine Neurotransmission Part 1 of 8 Jack C. Waymire, Ph.D.

Introduction

Acetylcholine, the first neurotransmitter discovered, was originally described as "vagus stuff" by Otto Loewi because of its ability to mimic the electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve. It is now known to be a neurotransmitter at all autonomic ganglia, at many autonomically innervated organs, at the neuromuscular junction, and at many synapses in the CNS.

In this chapter we will discuss the acetylcholine’s anatomy, cell biology, physiological effects, role in behavior, and clinical applications.