Cholinergic muscle stimulants

Cholinergic muscle stimulants are agents that increase the presence of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter, in the neuromuscular junction

Generally, cholinergic muscle stimulants are cholinesterase inhibitors. They block the cholinesterase enzyme, which is responsible for breaking down the acetylcholine in the synapses. This inhibition provides more acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junction for a longer period of time.

Cholinergic muscle stimulants are used to diagnose and treat myasthenia gravis, a chronic disorder that causes muscle weakness. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease where autoantibodies bind to cholinergic receptors in neuromuscular junction and prevents the acetylcholine from triggering muscle contractions.