Association of low striatal dopamine d2 receptor availability with nicotine dependence similar to that seen with other drugs of abuse.
OBJECTIVE
All drugs of abuse induce a phasic dopamine release within the striatum that does not undergo habituation. Prolonged substance consumption impairs the natural function of the mesolimbic dopamine system, as shown by a decrease in the availability of striatal dopamine 2 (D(2)) receptors in patients suffering from cocaine, heroin, amphetamine, and alcohol dependence. However, it is unclear whether similar changes can also be observed in heavy-smoking nicotine-dependent smokers.


METHODS
In vivo D(2)/D(3) receptor availability was determined with [ (18)F]fallypride positron emission tomography in 17 heavy-smoking nicotine-dependent subjects and in 21 age-matched never-smoking comparison subjects. The smokers were scanned twice: first, during a period of usual consumption and second, 24 hours after smoking cessation.


RESULTS
Independent of the withdrawal status, the nicotine-dependent smokers displayed significantly less availability of D(2)/D(3) receptors within the bilateral putamen functionally covering parts of the dorsal striatum, as compared to the never-smoking subjects. Nicotine craving under the consumption condition correlated positively with D(2)/D(3) receptor availability within the ventral striatum but negatively with D(2)/D(3) receptor availability within the anterior cingulate and inferior temporal cortex.


CONCLUSIONS
Similar to other types of substance abuse, nicotine dependence is associated with low availability of dorsal striatal D(2)/D(3) receptors. In contrast to previous findings on abstinent alcohol-dependent patients, nicotine craving seems to be maintained by a region-specific shift in D(2)/D(3) receptor availabilities, with higher availability within the ventral striatum but lower availability within the anterior cingulate and inferior temporal cortex.
Fehr
Christoph
C
Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Strasse 8, 55131 Mainz, Germany. fehrc@uni-mainz.de
Yakushev
Igor
I
Hohmann
Nina
N
Buchholz
Hans-Georg
HG
Landvogt
Christian
C
Deckers
Hanna
H
Eberhardt
Alexandra
A
Kläger
Marie
M
Smolka
Michael N
MN
Scheurich
Armin
A
Dielentheis
Thomas
T
Schmidt
Lutz G
LG
Rösch
Frank
F
Bartenstein
Peter
P
Gründer
Gerhard
G
Schreckenberger
Mathias
M
D000328:Adult; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D001549:Benzamides / Q000378:metabolism; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006179:Gyrus Cinguli / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011759:Pyrrolidines / Q000378:metabolism; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*
D001549:Benzamides; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D011759:Pyrrolidines; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D050637:Receptors, Dopamine D3