BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Neuromuscular blockers (NMB) have been used for more than half of a century in anesthesia and have always been a challenge for anesthesiologists. Until recently, the reversal of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers had only one option: the use of anticholinesterase agents. However, in some situations, such as deep neuromuscular blockade after high doses of relaxant, ...

Among the pathologic hypotheses of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), cholinergic deficit and oxidative stress have been implicated as two major hallmarks. Therefore, inhibition of cholinesterase and oxidation are the two promising strategies in the development of a drug for AD. Thunbergia grandiflora leaf extract (TGEx) is used in this research to investigate its anticholinesterase and antioxidant pote...

In a previous report (McNamara et at., 1954) it was noted that spinal reflexes could be abolished reversibly by anticholinesterase compounds. When the ammals were sacrificed after return of the reflex activity, some were found to have considerable cholinesterase in their spinal cords and in other areas of the body; in other animals the enzyme was apparently absent. No determinations of acetylch...

The article highlighted in this issue is “Dizocilpine Improves Beneficial Effects of Cholinergic Antagonists in Anticholinesterase-Treated Mice,” by Andrzej Dekundy, Rafal M. Kaminski, and Waldemar A. Turski (pp. 289–295). It explores the relationship between cholinergic and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors as mediators of anticholinesterase toxicity. The following review summarizes these ...

A 56-year-old man with late amyotrophic sequelae from poliomyelitis experienced progressive dyspnoea requiring intubation and artificial ventilation in the intensive care unit. Repetitive stimulation studies showed a marked decrement of the trapezius muscle response reversible with edrophonium. Ventilatory function considerably and lastingly improved under anticholinesterase treatment. In the a...

A retrospective survey of the records of 287 patients with generalised myasthenia gravis treated at New End Hospital and later at the Royal Free Hospital by anticholinesterase drugs, with or without thymectomy, between the years 1942 and 1976, shows that 62% of patients were improved. The timing of the operation, the grading of disease and the age and sex of the patient did not greatly influenc...