Noncholinergic system

The sensory fibers in the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic systems are probably better termed "sensory-efferent" or "sensory-local effector" fibers because, when activated by a sensory input, they are capable of releasing transmitter peptides from the sensory ending itself, from local axon branches, and from collaterals that terminate in the autonomic ganglia. These peptides are potent agonists in many autonomic effector tissues. 

Erection involves a coordinated action of the autonomic nervous system, and certain drugs may interfere with either the sympathetic division (e.g., aj- receptors) or the parasympathetic division (e.g., noncholinergic neurotransmitters). 

Table 6-1 Some of the Transmitter Substances Found in Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), Enteric Nervous System (ENS), and Nonadrenergic, Noncholinergic Neurons.1...

The enteric system in the gut wall (Figure 6-2) is the most extensively studied system containing nonadrenergic, noncholinergic neurons in addition to cholinergic and adrenergic fibers. In the small intestine, for example, these neurons contain one or more of the following nitric oxide synthase,... 

These include the effects of nerve agents on y-amino-butyric acid neurons and cyclic nucleotides. In addition, changes in brain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, as well as acetylcholine, following inhibition of brain cholinesterase activity, have been reported. These changes may be due in part to a compensatory mechanism in response to overstimulation of the cholinergic system or could result from direct action of nerve agent on the enzymes responsible for noncholinergic neurotransmission. 

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