Acetylcholine/cholinergic system depression

The revival of interest in acetylcholine s role in schizophrenic pathogenesis is symmetrical to a new interest in dopamine s role in dream psychosis. Could it be that in both psychoses the coactivation of dopamine and acetylcholine systems is necessary but only sufficient if either the other aminergic systems are in abeyance (dream and depression psychosis) or the dopamine system overpowers the cholinergic system (manic and schizophrenic psychosis) ... 

Mecfianism of Action A cholinergic-receptor agonist that binds to acetylcholine receptors, producing both stimulating and depressant effects on the peripheral and central nervous systems. Therapeutic Effect Provides a source of nicotine during nicotine withdrawal and reduces withdrawal symptoms. 

Nicotiana tabacum, and lobeline, present in the dried leaves and tops of the herb, Lobelia inflata (13). Both nicotine and lobeline act as agonists on a specific type of acetylcholine receptor, the nicotinic cholinergic receptor. In mammals, nicotinic cholinergic receptors mediate cholinergic neurotransmission in skeletal muscles, autonomic ganglia, and the central nervous system. At these sites nicotine s action has two phases, excitation and depression. Insect central nervous tissues are rich in nicotinic cholinergic receptors (cf. 14), but their role in behavior is not well understood. 

Sweating is stimulated by direct action of the increased endogenous acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors of sweat glands in the skin these glands are innervated by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. Agitation is produced by a central excitatory effect on cholinergic neurones in the brain, but in large doses anticholinesterases can cause depression of the respiratory centre in the medulla. 

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