title: Neurobiology of tobacco smoking and other addictive disorders.
abstract: Advances in research of the neurobiology of addictive disorders have provided clinicians with an evolving perspective on addiction. All drugs of abuse seem to share a common neurobiologic substrate involving the mesocorticolimbic system. Considerable evidence shows that these dopaminergic projections are involved in the positive brain reward, which drives addictive disorders; however, recent studies also implicate the neurotransmitters glutamate and serotonin in learning and sensitization to drug use. A review of the neurobiology of tobacco smoking provides further examples of the mechanisms for reinforcing tobacco use, including the enhancement of memory and treatment of depression with nicotine and MAO-inhibiting chemicals in tobacco smoke respectively. The relevance of these advances may be realized through the destigmatization of addictive disorders and the development of new and improved treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida Brain Institute, Gainesville, USA.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Gamberino
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Gold
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D012201:Reward; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents