Synaptic plasticity and nicotine addiction.
Nicotine, the main addictive component of tobacco, activates and desensitizes nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In that way, nicotine alters normal nicotinic cholinergic functions. Among the myriad of psychopharmacological effects that underlie the addiction process, nicotine influences nAChR participation in synaptic plasticity. This influence has particular importance in the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system, which serves during the reinforcement of rewarding behaviors.
Dani
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JA
Division of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. jdani@bcm.tmc.edu
Ji
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Zhou
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D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012201:Reward; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D009538:Nicotine; D004298:Dopamine