It depends. AChEI (as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are abbreviated) show up in about four instances in medicine:
The way this works is:
Acetylcholine is released from the terminal end of a motor nerve, flooding across the synapse to interact with acetylcholine receptors on the post-synaptic cell or muscle fiber. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the synapse, preventing it from having its effect on the post-synaptic cell. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors bind to AChE, thereby inactivating it. AChEIs can be permanent or temporary, depending on the particular chemical. Permanent AChEIs bind to AChE irreversibly and prevent it from breaking down any acetylcholine ever again, and the enzyme must be reproduced before there is any AChE activity again. Reversible AChEIs bind for a short time or the effect can be overcome by increased levels of acetylcholine. Some agents are reversible early and become permanent later on.
Excess acetylcholine in the synapses cause numerous effects throughout the body, a syndrome called cholinergic crisis. Symptoms include excessive tearing, salivation, sweating, bronchorrhea (excessive secretions in the lungs), confusion, coma, seizures, loss of bowel and bladder control, fasciculations, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and sometimes muscle rigidity or flaccidity (depending on the particular agent and dosing). (ref. DeLaughter)
Death by this means can be excruciating. It can be counteracted if treated quickly, and it's easily detectable. Its use was considered and rejected for lethal injection of capital offenders.
As I note all the categories you've chosen for this question, I'm going to take the extra step of saying that, as a euthanasia agent or a means of suicide, this is not a good way to go at all. It's not hard to detect this agent.
If euthanasia is the goal you're pursuing, I think you'd be better off to pursue legal, medically administered options, that are less painful and don't have legal repercussions.
For more information, you might consider giving Poison Control a call at (800) 222-1222.
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It depends. AChEI (as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are abbreviated) show up in about four instances in medicine:
They're used in very small oral dosages to diagnose neurological disorders like Myasthenia gravis.
They're also used to treat Alzheimer's, Lewy body dementia, and other similar neuro-effects.
They're used in opthamological procedures, particularly those related to glaucoma.
AChEI's are used as antagonists to anticholinergic agents (a neurotoxin).
And AChEI's are used as chemical weapons.
The way this works is: Acetylcholine forms and connects two synapses, those activating a muscle. Acetylcholinesterase dissolves Acetylcholine when the synaptic transmission is complete, thus allowing the muscle to relax. AN AChEI blocks the formation of acetylcholinesterase, thus leaving the muscle in an activated state -- which is to say, rigid paralysis. As this can paralyse the respiratory muscles, it's an effective chemical weapon. There are three types of AChEI's: Permanent which destroy the ability to create acetylcholinesterase forever, temporary, which is self-explanatory, and quasi-permanent which may respond to treatment.
Death by this means can be excruciating. It can be counteracted if treated quickly, and it's easily detectable. Its use was considered and rejected for lethal injection of capital offenders.
As I note all the categories you've chosen for this question, I'm going to take the extra step of saying that, as a euthanasia agent or a means of suicide, this is NOT a good way to go at all. It's not likely you'd find a quantity that would kill (but harm is a likelihood), it's VERY painful and not particularly quick, and it's not hard to detect.
If euthanasia is the goal you're pursuing, I think you'd be better off to pursue legal, medically administered options.
For more information, you might consider giving Poison Control a call at (800) 222-1222.
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