Acetylcholine

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Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter found within the central and peripheral nervous systems (including the autonomic nervous system). It is one of the neurotransmitters responsible for excitatory neuronal transmission in the CNS, as well as excitatory stimulation of skeletal muscle action potentials that produce contraction. In the autonomic nervous system, it is released from all pre-ganglionic neurons, as well as post-ganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic system, including the Vagus nerve that innervates the gastrointestinal system and heart. Additionally, acetycholine is used to stimulate the modified sympathetic ganglion that is the adrenal medulla, as well as stimulation of sweat glands.

Neurons that secrete acetylcholine are referred to as "cholinergic". There are two distinct types of receptors for the neurotransmitter, named after the agonists used in their discovery, Nicotinic and Muscarinic. The former is an ionotropic receptor (ion channel) and is the principle receptor located at the neuromuscular junction, while the latter is coupled to G proteins to mediate ion conductance.

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