Botulinum toxin prevents release of which neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction, leading to a specific type of paralysis?

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Multiple Choice

Botulinum toxin prevents release of which neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction, leading to a specific type of paralysis?

Explanation:
At the neuromuscular junction, acetylcholine is the chemical signal that triggers muscle contraction. Botulinum toxin blocks the release of acetylcholine by cleaving SNARE proteins needed for vesicle fusion, so the signal never reaches the muscle. With no acetylcholine release, muscles can’t contract and become weak with reduced tone, which is a flaccid paralysis. This differs from spastic paralysis, which arises from upper motor neuron damage and presents with increased tone and hyperactive reflexes, and from central paralysis, which stems from brain or spinal cord lesions.

At the neuromuscular junction, acetylcholine is the chemical signal that triggers muscle contraction. Botulinum toxin blocks the release of acetylcholine by cleaving SNARE proteins needed for vesicle fusion, so the signal never reaches the muscle. With no acetylcholine release, muscles can’t contract and become weak with reduced tone, which is a flaccid paralysis. This differs from spastic paralysis, which arises from upper motor neuron damage and presents with increased tone and hyperactive reflexes, and from central paralysis, which stems from brain or spinal cord lesions.

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