acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

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acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (ass-i-tyl-koh-lin-est-er-ayz) n. a drug that blocks the action of acetylcholinesterase (see cholinesterase). Acetylcholinsterase inhibitors are used to slow down the rate of cognitive decline in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, which is associated with a reduction in acetylcholine levels. The group includes donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Reminyl), and rivastigmine (Exelon).