Cholinergic neuropharmacology: an update

Abstract

The current status of the pharmacology of central cholinergic transmission is reviewed. Particular attention is paid to the compounds that have been or are potential candidates as therapeutic agents for the treatment of mental disorders, particularly senile dementia. Compounds affecting acetylcholine synthesis, storage and release, affecting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, acting on nicotinic cholinergic receptors, as well as compounds acting on muscarinic cholinergic receptors are reviewed. It is concluded that the most promising approaches for the development of new therapeutic agents might be specific acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and compounds with specific action at only one of the muscarinic cholinergic receptor subtypes.