Biomaterial Database

Drugs as research tools in psychology: cholinergic drugs and information processing. 1984

D M Warburton, and K Wesnes

It is argued that cholinergic drugs have an effect on both attentional and memory aspects of information processing. This thesis is supported by studies with anticholinesterases, cholinolytics, and nicotine.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008568	Memory	Complex mental function having four distinct phases: (1) memorizing or learning, (2) retention, (3) recall, and (4) recognition. Clinically, it is usually subdivided into immediate, recent, and remote memory.
D009434	Neural Pathways	Neural tracts connecting one part of the nervous system with another.	Neural Interconnections,Interconnection, Neural,Interconnections, Neural,Neural Interconnection,Neural Pathway,Pathway, Neural,Pathways, Neural
D009435	Synaptic Transmission	The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES.	Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D009538	Nicotine	Nicotine is highly toxic alkaloid. It is the prototypical agonist at nicotinic cholinergic receptors where it dramatically stimulates neurons and ultimately blocks synaptic transmission. Nicotine is also important medically because of its presence in tobacco smoke.	Nicotine Bitartrate,Nicotine Tartrate
D010276	Parasympatholytics	Agents that inhibit the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system. The major group of drugs used therapeutically for this purpose is the MUSCARINIC ANTAGONISTS.	Antispasmodic,Antispasmodic Agent,Antispasmodic Drug,Antispasmodics,Parasympathetic-Blocking Agent,Parasympathetic-Blocking Agents,Parasympatholytic,Parasympatholytic Agent,Parasympatholytic Drug,Spasmolytic,Spasmolytics,Antispasmodic Agents,Antispasmodic Drugs,Antispasmodic Effect,Antispasmodic Effects,Parasympatholytic Agents,Parasympatholytic Drugs,Parasympatholytic Effect,Parasympatholytic Effects,Agent, Antispasmodic,Agent, Parasympathetic-Blocking,Agent, Parasympatholytic,Agents, Antispasmodic,Agents, Parasympathetic-Blocking,Agents, Parasympatholytic,Drug, Antispasmodic,Drug, Parasympatholytic,Drugs, Antispasmodic,Drugs, Parasympatholytic,Effect, Antispasmodic,Effect, Parasympatholytic,Effects, Antispasmodic,Effects, Parasympatholytic,Parasympathetic Blocking Agent,Parasympathetic Blocking Agents
D010277	Parasympathomimetics	Drugs that mimic the effects of parasympathetic nervous system activity. Included here are drugs that directly stimulate muscarinic receptors and drugs that potentiate cholinergic activity, usually by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine (CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS). Drugs that stimulate both sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic neurons (GANGLIONIC STIMULANTS) are not included here.	Parasympathomimetic Agents,Parasympathomimetic Drugs,Parasympathomimetic Effect,Parasympathomimetic Effects,Agents, Parasympathomimetic,Drugs, Parasympathomimetic,Effect, Parasympathomimetic,Effects, Parasympathomimetic
D010830	Physostigmine	A cholinesterase inhibitor that is rapidly absorbed through membranes. It can be applied topically to the conjunctiva. It also can cross the blood-brain barrier and is used when central nervous system effects are desired, as in the treatment of severe anticholinergic toxicity.	Eserine
D011939	Mental Recall	The process whereby a representation of past experience is elicited.	Recall, Mental
D012106	Research	Critical and exhaustive investigation or experimentation, having for its aim the discovery of new facts and their correct interpretation, the revision of accepted conclusions, theories, or laws in the light of newly discovered facts, or the practical application of such new or revised conclusions, theories, or laws. (Webster, 3d ed)	Research Priorities,Laboratory Research,Research Activities,Research and Development,Activities, Research,Activity, Research,Development and Research,Priorities, Research,Priority, Research,Research Activity,Research Priority,Research, Laboratory
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon