The molecular mechanism that induces the consumption of large amounts of nicotine can be altered by manipulating levels of a specific brain protein, according to a study by the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter (USA) published in the online edition of the journal Nature.
Nicotine stimulates alpha-5 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the brain. This receptor is present in large numbers in a specific neural mechanism, the habenula-interpeduncular tract, which is known to suppress the signals of reward.
The scientists, led by Paul Kenny, show that mice lacking this receptor work for small amounts of nicotine, as normal animals, but also seek high concentrations of nicotine, which are normal animals and avoid unpleasant.
Experiences with rodents have shown changes
The authors show that alteration of receptor levels in the habenula-interpeduncular tract changes the amount of nicotine that animals consume.
The study could offer an explanation of why the genetic variation in the gene encoding the alpha-5 subunit increases vulnerability to addiction to snuff in humans, providing a negative signal in response to high levels of nicotine, thus limiting consumption.
Nicotine stimulates alpha-5 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the brain. This receptor is present in large numbers in a specific neural mechanism, the habenula-interpeduncular tract, which is known to suppress the signals of reward.
The scientists, led by Paul Kenny, show that mice lacking this receptor work for small amounts of nicotine, as normal animals, but also seek high concentrations of nicotine, which are normal animals and avoid unpleasant.
Experiences with rodents have shown changes
The authors show that alteration of receptor levels in the habenula-interpeduncular tract changes the amount of nicotine that animals consume.
The study could offer an explanation of why the genetic variation in the gene encoding the alpha-5 subunit increases vulnerability to addiction to snuff in humans, providing a negative signal in response to high levels of nicotine, thus limiting consumption.
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