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Possible involvement of thiamine in acetylcholine release

Abstract

ALTHOUGH it has long been thought that thiamine (vitamin B1) and its phosphoric acid esters might be linked directly to excitation and propagation of nerve action potentials1,2, the relationship has not been established firmly3,4. We wish to report results which suggest that involvement with synaptic transmission rather than axonal conduction might explain why vitamin B1 is required for nervous system activity. Experiments were performed on the electric organ of Torpedo marmorata, a richly innervated cholinergic tissue5. The results indicated that thiamine and its phosphoric esters are involved, either directly or indirectly, in the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh).

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EDER, L., HIRT, L. & DUNANT, Y. Possible involvement of thiamine in acetylcholine release. Nature 264, 186–188 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/264186a0

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