Butyrylcholinesterase
Key points
- This is a test for the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (also known as RBC cholinesterase) and pseudocholinesterase (also known as butyrylcholinesterase or plasma cholinesterase) which act to break down acetylcholine, a chemical critical in the transmission of nerve impulses.
- Acetylcholinesterase is found in nerve tissue and red blood cells, and pseudocholinesterase is found primarily in the liver.
Alternative names
Acetylcholinesterase; RBC (or erythrocyte) cholinesterase; Pseudocholinesterase; Plasma cholinesterase; Serum cholinesterase
Definition
This is a test for the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (also known as RBC cholinesterase) and pseudocholinesterase (also known as butyrylcholinesterase or plasma cholinesterase) which act to break down acetylcholine, a chemical critical in the transmission of nerve impulses.
Acetylcholinesterase is found in nerve tissue and red blood cells, and pseudocholinesterase is found primarily in the liver.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
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