ROLE OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS IN ADDICTION

Synthesis of acetylcholine involves the reaction of choline with acetate. The reaction between active acetate (acetyl-coenzyme A, acetyl-CoA) and choline is catalyzed by the enzyme choline acetyltransferase.Acetylcholine must be rapidly removed from the synapse by way of hydrolysis of acetylcholine to choline and acetate, a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.Acetylcholine ReceptorsHistorically, acetylcholine receptors have been divided into two main types on the basis of their pharmacologic properties : muscarinic and nicotinic receptors .