title: Targeting Dopaminergic System for Treating Nicotine Dependence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smoking is the world's leading cause of preventable death among populations. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of numerous health problems, including heart diseases, stroke, atherosclerosis and many types of cancer, including lung, stomach and bladder cancers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many individuals find it difficult to stop smoking because of the addictive effects of nicotine and the presence of several monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors in the tobacco smoke extract.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The development of novel, safe and effective medications for smoking cessation is a high public health priority.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The role of mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic pathways in withdrawal symptoms and general reinforcement processes clearly recommends dopaminergic system as a potential target for the treatment of nicotine addiction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review article discusses the new pharmacological treatments of nicotine dependence, which are targeting dopaminergic neurotransmission. This includes blockade of dopamine transporter and inhibition of MAO as pharmacotherapy for the treatment of nicotine dependence.
authors.forename: Sawsan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abuhamdah
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.affiliation: University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614, USA. youssef.sari@utoledo.edu.
authors.forename: Youssef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D004298:Dopamine