Butyrylcholine is an acetylcholine-like molecule, with activation of some of the same receptors as acetylcholine. It is hydrolysed by acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (also known as pseudocholinesterase), with butyrylcholinesterase being more efficient than 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. Butyrylcholinesterase is also called serum cholinesterase. It is very similar to the neuronal acetylcholinesterase.

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Organic compounds