Neurophysiology of Nicotine Addiction

Overview

Journal J Addict Res Ther

Date 2012 Mar 29

PMID 22454789

Citations 23

Authors

John A Dani

Daniel Jenson

John I Broussard

Mariella De Biasi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Tobacco use is a major health problem, and nicotine is the main addictive component. Nicotine binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) to produce its initial effects. The nAChRs subtypes are composed of five subunits that can form in numerous combinations with varied functional and pharmacological characteristics. Diverse psychopharmacological effects contribute to the overall process of nicotine addiction, but two general neural systems are emerging as critical for the initiation and maintenance of tobacco use. Mesocorticolimbic circuitry that includes the dopaminergic pathway originating in the ventral tegmental area and projecting to the nucleus accumbens is recognized as vital for reinforcing behaviors during the initiation of nicotine addiction. In this neural system β2, α4, and α6 are the most important nAChR subunits underlying the rewarding aspects of nicotine and nicotine self-administration. On the other hand, the epithalamic habenular complex and the interpeduncular nucleus, which are connected via the fasciculus retroflexus, are critical contributors regulating nicotine dosing and withdrawal symptoms. In this case, the α5 and β4 nAChR subunits have critical roles in combination with other subunits. In both of these neural systems, particular nAChR subtypes have roles that contribute to the overall nicotine addiction process.

Citing Articles

Does perceived vaping addiction predict subsequent vaping cessation behaviour among adults who use nicotine vaping products regularly?.

Koops A, Yong H, Borland R, McNeill A, Hyland A, Lohner V Addict Behav. 2024; 160:108172.

PMID: 39341187 PMC: 11560493. DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108172.

Adolescent nicotine administration increases nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding and functional connectivity in specific cortico-striatal-thalamic circuits.

Keeley R, Prillaman M, Scarlata M, Vrana A, Tsai P, Gomez J Brain Commun. 2022; 4(6):fcac291.

PMID: 36440101 PMC: 9683397. DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac291.

Substance abuse and neurotransmission.

Davis S, Zhu J Adv Pharmacol. 2022; 93:403-441.

PMID: 35341573 PMC: 9759822. DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2021.10.007.

Dynamic associations between anxiety, depression, and tobacco use in older adults: Results from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

Monroe D, McDowell C, Kenny R, Herring M J Psychiatr Res. 2021; 139:99-105.

PMID: 34058656 PMC: 8527842. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.05.017.

Recent findings in the pharmacology of inhaled nicotine: Preclinical and clinical in vivo studies.

Jackson A, Grobman B, Krishnan-Sarin S Neuropharmacology. 2020; 176:108218.

PMID: 32592708 PMC: 7529934. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108218.

References

Hyland B, Reynolds J, Hay J, Perk C, Miller R . Firing modes of midbrain dopamine cells in the freely moving rat. Neuroscience. 2002; 114(2):475-92. DOI: 10.1016/s0306-4522(02)00267-1. View

Berke J, Hyman S . Addiction, dopamine, and the molecular mechanisms of memory. Neuron. 2000; 25(3):515-32. DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)81056-9. View

Gaimarri A, Moretti M, Riganti L, Zanardi A, Clementi F, Gotti C . Regulation of neuronal nicotinic receptor traffic and expression. Brain Res Rev. 2007; 55(1):134-43. DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2007.02.005. View

Hadjiconstantinou M, Neff N . Nicotine and endogenous opioids: neurochemical and pharmacological evidence. Neuropharmacology. 2010; 60(7-8):1209-20. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2010.11.010. View

Dani J, Harris R . Nicotine addiction and comorbidity with alcohol abuse and mental illness. Nat Neurosci. 2005; 8(11):1465-70. DOI: 10.1038/nn1580. View

Vallejo Y, Buisson B, Bertrand D, Green W . Chronic nicotine exposure upregulates nicotinic receptors by a novel mechanism. J Neurosci. 2005; 25(23):5563-72. PMC: 2246082. DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5240-04.2005. View

Salas R, Pieri F, De Biasi M . Decreased signs of nicotine withdrawal in mice null for the beta4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit. J Neurosci. 2004; 24(45):10035-9. PMC: 6730195. DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1939-04.2004. View

Novak G, Seeman P, Le Foll B . Exposure to nicotine produces an increase in dopamine D2(High) receptors: a possible mechanism for dopamine hypersensitivity. Int J Neurosci. 2010; 120(11):691-7. DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2010.513462. View

Giniatullin R, Nistri A, Yakel J . Desensitization of nicotinic ACh receptors: shaping cholinergic signaling. Trends Neurosci. 2005; 28(7):371-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2005.04.009. View

10.

Benowitz N . Nicotine replacement therapy. What has been accomplished--can we do better?. Drugs. 1993; 45(2):157-70. DOI: 10.2165/00003495-199345020-00001. View

11.

McGehee D, Heath M, Gelber S, Devay P, Role L . Nicotine enhancement of fast excitatory synaptic transmission in CNS by presynaptic receptors. Science. 1995; 269(5231):1692-6. DOI: 10.1126/science.7569895. View

12.

Champtiaux N, Gotti C, Cordero-Erausquin M, David D, Przybylski C, Lena C . Subunit composition of functional nicotinic receptors in dopaminergic neurons investigated with knock-out mice. J Neurosci. 2003; 23(21):7820-9. PMC: 6740613. View

13.

Pidoplichko V, Debiasi M, Williams J, Dani J . Nicotine activates and desensitizes midbrain dopamine neurons. Nature. 1997; 390(6658):401-4. DOI: 10.1038/37120. View

14.

Salas R, Cook K, Bassetto L, De Biasi M . The alpha3 and beta4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits are necessary for nicotine-induced seizures and hypolocomotion in mice. Neuropharmacology. 2004; 47(3):401-7. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2004.05.002. View

15.

Wang D, Connock M, Barton P, Fry-Smith A, Aveyard P, Moore D . 'Cut down to quit' with nicotine replacement therapies in smoking cessation: a systematic review of effectiveness and economic analysis. Health Technol Assess. 2007; 12(2):iii-iv, ix-xi, 1-135. DOI: 10.3310/hta12020. View

16.

Picciotto M, Addy N, Mineur Y, Brunzell D . It is not "either/or": activation and desensitization of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors both contribute to behaviors related to nicotine addiction and mood. Prog Neurobiol. 2008; 84(4):329-42. PMC: 2390914. DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2007.12.005. View

17.

Fenster C, Whitworth T, Sheffield E, Quick M, Lester R . Upregulation of surface alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptors is initiated by receptor desensitization after chronic exposure to nicotine. J Neurosci. 1999; 19(12):4804-14. PMC: 6782670. View

18.

Schilstrom B, Rawal N, Mameli-Engvall M, Nomikos G, Svensson T . Dual effects of nicotine on dopamine neurons mediated by different nicotinic receptor subtypes. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2003; 6(1):1-11. DOI: 10.1017/S1461145702003188. View

19.

Jorenby D, Leischow S, Nides M, Rennard S, Johnston J, Hughes A . A controlled trial of sustained-release bupropion, a nicotine patch, or both for smoking cessation. N Engl J Med. 1999; 340(9):685-91. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199903043400903. View

20.

McGehee D, Role L . Physiological diversity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed by vertebrate neurons. Annu Rev Physiol. 1995; 57:521-46. DOI: 10.1146/annurev.ph.57.030195.002513. View