The peripheral nervous system—cholinergics, anticholinergics, and anticholinesterases

In Chapter 10, we discussed the medicinal chemistry of antibacterial agents and noted the success of these agents in combating many of the diseases which have afflicted mankind over the years. This success was aided in no small way by the fact that the enemy could be identified, isolated, and conquered—first in the petri dish, then in the many hiding places which it could frequent in the body. After this success, the medicinal chemist set out to tackle the many other human ailments which were not infection-based—problems such as heart disorders, depression, schizophrenia, ulcers, autoimmune disease, and cancer. In all these ailments, the body itself has ceased to function properly in some way or other. There is no enemy as such. 

So what can medicinal chemistry do if there is no enemy to fight, save for the human body s inefficiency The first logical step is to understand what exactly has gone wrong. 

Even if the problem is identified, what can a mere chemical do amidst a body filled with complex enzymes and interrelated chemical reactions If it is even possible for a single chemical to have a beneficial effect, which of the infinite number of organic compounds would we use  

The problem might be equated with finding the computer virus which has invaded 

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The peripheral nervous system—cholinergics, anticholinergics, and anticholinesterases... 

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