cholinergicinduced

Cholinergic-induced refers to effects produced by activation of the cholinergic system, via acetylcholine acting on muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. The term encompasses endogenous releases and exogenous stimulation with cholinergic agonists or cholinesterase inhibitors. Mechanistically, cholinergic signaling operates through two receptor families: muscarinic receptors (M1–M5), which are G protein–coupled and mediate slower, diverse effects, and nicotinic receptors (Nm, Nn), which are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate rapid synaptic transmission at neuromuscular junctions and autonomic ganglia. In the central nervous system, acetylcholine modulates attention, learning, and arousal.

Cholinergic-induced effects are prominent in the parasympathetic nervous system, including increased salivation, lacrimation, bronchoconstriction, bronchial secretions, miosis, bradycardia, decreased heart rate, and enhanced GI motility and urination. In the neuromuscular system, nicotinic receptor activation causes muscle contraction. In pathological contexts, excessive cholinergic activity—such as from organophosphate poisoning or cholinesterase inhibitors—produces a cholinergic crisis characterized by sweating, diarrhea, urination, bronchorrhea, bronchospasm, miosis, bradycardia, emesis, and altered mental status.

Cholinergic-induced effects are managed clinically by anticholinergic drugs (for muscarinic symptoms), and in poisoning by atropine and supportive care; pralidoxime may be used to regenerate acetylcholinesterase in certain organophosphate exposures. Understanding cholinergic-induced phenomena is important in neuropharmacology, toxicology, and medicine.