2-Minute Neuroscience: Acetylcholine

In this video I discuss acetylcholine, the first neurotransmitter ever discovered. The topics I cover include the locations of acetylcholine neurons in the brain, acetylcholine receptors, and some of the functions of acetylcholine.

TRANSCRIPT:

Welcome to 2 minute neuroscience, where I explain neuroscience topics in 2 minutes or less. In this installment I will discuss acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine was the first neurotransmitter discovered, and is named for the two substances used to synthesize it: the nutrient choline and the enzyme acetyl coenzyme A.

Neurons that contain acetylcholine are called cholinergic. There are several clusters of cholinergic neurons throughout the brain. Some are found in the basal forebrain; they include the medial septal nucleus, the nucleus of the diagonal band, and the nucleus basalis. Others are found in the brainstem, including the pedunculopontine nucleus and laterodorsal tegmental nucleus.

Acetylcholine acts on two families of receptors, and each receptor family has several subtypes. One family is ionotropic; they are called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors because nicotine also binds to and activates the receptors. Their activation generally results in excitation of the neuron. Another family is metabotropic. These are called muscarinic acetylcholine receptors because a substance called muscarine binds to them; their effects depend on the subtype of the receptor.

The action of acetylcholine in the synapse is terminated by an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase, which breaks acetylcholine down into acetate and choline. The choline is then transported back into neurons to synthesize more acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine has a variety of functions in the nervous system. It is the main neurotransmitter used at neuromuscular junctions, and is responsible for muscle contraction. It is also widely used in the autonomic nervous system. Its functions in the brain are still not fully understood, but it does appear to play important roles in memory, arousal, and attention.

REFERENCES:

Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessell TM 2000. Principles of Neural Science. 5th ed. New York. McGraw-Hill; 2013.

Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, Hall WC, Lamantia AS, McNamara JO, White LE. Neuroscience. 4th ed. Sunderland, MA. Sinauer Associates; 2008.

[jayna]

i’m german, but i have to watch this video because there are literally NO videos about neurotransmitter’s in german… gotta say this was very helpful

[josephturner]

I'm pretty sure in this past pandemic I've learned more on YouTube than I have in 12 years of school...lol 😂

[mayasanthanakrishnan]

Your videos are definitely the motivation factor when it comes to me wanting to pursue neuroscience. I hope you keep making videos explaining neuroscience concepts

[anybodyoutthere]

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[sleepykoya]

Thank you so much for making this content! these short videos are wonderful for last-minute reviews before my Neurobiology exams!

[charlesewing]

Thank you so much I just completed my first year in college and I eventually want to do neuroscience thank you so much for these videos I am more of a visual learner and this helps so much!

[joelspidey]

As usual, crisp, brief, and very informative. Kudos!

[roseochoa]

I watched a couple videos on the same topic prior to your video. And I had not a clue as to what was being described. Then I watched your video and everything was explained so clearly that I had no problem whatsoever seeing the whole picture. you do a great job.

[DaFinkingOrk]

Great video as always! Well done!
Can't believe this channel doesn't have more subscribers or views! You could do a "5 minute neuroscience" where you go a bit more in-depth, or talk about some things other than neurotransmitters, but I like it how it is and you're doing a great job! Those were just suggestions if you wanted to expand your channel w bit - but it's great how it is and I hope you enjoy making these videos because they're great to watch! Thanks!

[SaurabhNative]

This was really informative while being quite precise. I am just starting my study in drug discovery for Alzheimer's using Bioinformatics and wanted to understand in detail how Acetylcholine and Acetylcholinesterase works. Thanks for making such short useful content.

[AlanKelly-nmlx]

awww now I can explain in a laymen's term to people who still won't know what I am talking about! But very well done for me to understand ROCK ON! do u have any videos on the effects of organophosphate's on the Ach receptors??

[ytpphxu]

I am trying to learn the major neurotransmitters and you explained them well!

[kingthief]

Still trying to understand neurology a bit more, this video was helpful, but I need to do some more reading.

[RomanKondrachov]

Thank you very much. Straight to the point and no bs!

[alexsheremett]

really great channel (specially if you know already sth about the subject- just unvaluable)❤❤❤

[starsandsugar]

oh my god  Wish I found these before I took cellular& molec neurosci

[boardingurban]

Just understood why cigarettes kill a DPH trip. Essentially DPH is an acetylcholine antagonist, while nicotine potentiates the nicotinic receptors (agonizing acetylcholine)

[eliasmsv]

Clear and concise explanation, thank you!

[dave.h]

No hi, no bye just to the point more please. Thanks mate, appreciated!

[ionutcalin]

Are these the only locations where you can find a high density of cholinergic neurons?