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Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have been proposed as a treatment option for TTX

ID: 3480889 • Letter: A

Question

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have been proposed as a treatment option for TTX poisoning. How might this work?

by increasing the number of action potentials generated in motor neurons

by increasing the number of action potentials in skeketal muscle that would result from a decreasing number of action potentials seen in poisoned motor neurons

by decreasing the number of action potentials in skeketal muscle that would result from an increasing number of action potentials seen in poisoned motor neurons

by increasing the amount of calcium entering motor neurons

by increasing the number of action potentials generated in motor neurons

by increasing the number of action potentials in skeketal muscle that would result from a decreasing number of action potentials seen in poisoned motor neurons

by decreasing the number of action potentials in skeketal muscle that would result from an increasing number of action potentials seen in poisoned motor neurons

by increasing the amount of calcium entering motor neurons

Explanation / Answer

B. by increasing the number of action potentials in skeketal muscle that would result from a decreasing number of action potentials seen in poisoned motor neurons

Acetylcholinesterase is involved in the termination of impulse transmission by rapid hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The enzyme inactivation by inhibitors, leads to acetylcholine accumulation and hyperstimulation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, and disrupted neurotransmission. Thus acetylcholinesterase inhibitors which reversibly binds and inactivates acetyl cholinesterase, can increase acetylcholine availability at the neuromuscular junction and dramatically restore transmission.