Butyrylcholinesterase, also known as BCHE, is a human gene. Butyrylcholinesterase is also called serum cholinesterase. It is very similar to the neuronal acetylcholinesterase. Butyrylcholine is a synthetic compound and does not occur in the body naturally. It is used as a tool to distinguish between acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase.

Medical Applications

Butyrylcholinesterase is believed to play a role in the body's ability to metabolize the drug cocaine. In 2008 an experimental new drug was discovered for the potential treatment of cocaine abuse and overdose based on the BChE structure. It was shown to remove cocaine from the body 2000 times as fast as the natural form of BChE. Studies in rats have shown that the drug prevented convulsions and death when administered cocaine overdoses.

See also

Cholinesterase enzyme

References

Further reading

External links