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Terry AV, Jones K, Bertrand D. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in neurological and psychiatric diseases. Pharmacol Res 2023; 191:106764. [PMID: 37044234 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels that are widely distributed both pre- and post-synaptically in the mammalian brain. By modulating cation flux across cell membranes, neuronal nAChRs regulate neuronal excitability and the release of a variety of neurotransmitters to influence multiple physiologic and behavioral processes including synaptic plasticity, motor function, attention, learning and memory. Abnormalities of neuronal nAChRs have been implicated in the pathophysiology of neurologic disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and Tourette´s syndrome, as well as psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. The potential role of nAChRs in a particular illness may be indicated by alterations in the expression of nAChRs in relevant brain regions, genetic variability in the genes encoding for nAChR subunit proteins, and/or clinical or preclinical observations where specific ligands showed a therapeutic effect. Over the past 25 years, extensive preclinical and some early clinical evidence suggested that ligands at nAChRs might have therapeutic potential for neurologic and psychiatric disorders. However, to date the only approved indications for nAChR ligands are smoking cessation and the treatment of dry eye disease. It has been argued that progress in nAChR drug discovery has been limited by translational gaps between the preclinical models and the human disease as well as unresolved questions regarding the pharmacological goal (i.e., agonism, antagonism or receptor desensitization) depending on the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin V Terry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912.
| | - Keri Jones
- Educational Innovation Institute, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912
| | - Daniel Bertrand
- HiQScreen Sàrl, 6, rte de Compois, 1222 Vésenaz, Geneva, Switzerland
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Bjugstad K, Sanberg P. The boundlessness of behavioral neuroscience: A look across 30 years. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104910. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Piacentino D, Maraone A, Roselli V, Berardelli I, Biondi M, Kotzalidis GD, Pasquini M. Efficacy of nicotine administration on obsessions and compulsions in OCD: a systematic review. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2020; 19:57. [PMID: 33014119 PMCID: PMC7528475 DOI: 10.1186/s12991-020-00309-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preliminary studies have tested nicotine as a novel treatment for OCD patients who respond partially/incompletely or not at all to first and second-line treatment strategies, with the former represented by SSRIs or clomipramine, and the latter by switching to another SSRI, or augmentation with atypical antipsychotics, and/or combination with/switching to cognitive-behavioural therapy. Some studies found nicotine-induced reduction of obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviour in OCD patients. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of nicotine administration in OCD patients. METHODS We searched the PubMed, ScienceDirect Scopus, CINHAL, Cochrane, PsycINFO/PsycARTICLES, and EMBASE databases from inception to the present for relevant papers. The 'Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses' (PRISMA) standards were used. We included all studies focusing on the effects of nicotine administration on OCD patients' obsessions or compulsions. Studies could be open-label, cross-sectional, randomized controlled trials, case series or case reports. RESULTS A total of five studies could be included. Nicotine administration may ameliorate behavioural features and recurrent thoughts of severe, treatment-resistant OCD patients; however, in one study it was not associated with OC symptom improvement or cognitive enhancement across various executive function subdomains. CONCLUSIONS Although encouraging, the initial positive response from the use of nicotine in OCD needs testing in large controlled studies. This, however, raises ethical issues related to nicotine administration, due to its addiction potential, which were not addressed in the limited literature we examined. As an alternative, novel treatments with drugs able to mimic only the positive effects of nicotine could be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Piacentino
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, National Institute On Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute On Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Annalisa Maraone
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Roselli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Berardelli
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Biondi
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Georgios D. Kotzalidis
- NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs), School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Pasquini
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
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Quik M, Boyd JT, Bordia T, Perez X. Potential Therapeutic Application for Nicotinic Receptor Drugs in Movement Disorders. Nicotine Tob Res 2019; 21:357-369. [PMID: 30137517 PMCID: PMC6379038 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/nty063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Emerging studies indicate that striatal cholinergic interneurons play an important role in synaptic plasticity and motor control under normal physiological conditions, while their disruption may lead to movement disorders. Here we discuss the involvement of the cholinergic system in motor dysfunction, with a focus on the role of the nicotinic cholinergic system in Parkinson's disease and drug-induced dyskinesias. Evidence for a role for the striatal nicotinic cholinergic system stems from studies showing that administration of nicotine or nicotinic receptor drugs protects against nigrostriatal degeneration and decreases L-dopa-induced dyskinesias. In addition, nicotinic receptor drugs may ameliorate tardive dyskinesia, Tourette's syndrome and ataxia, although further study is required to understand their full potential in the treatment of these disorders. A role for the striatal muscarinic cholinergic system in movement disorders stems from studies showing that muscarinic receptor drugs acutely improve Parkinson's disease motor symptoms, and may reduce dyskinesias and dystonia. Selective stimulation or lesioning of striatal cholinergic interneurons suggests they are primary players in this regulation, although multiple central nervous systems appear to be involved. IMPLICATIONS Accumulating data from preclinical studies and clinical trials suggest that drugs targeting CNS cholinergic systems may be useful for symptomatic treatment of movement disorders. Nicotinic cholinergic drugs, including nicotine and selective nAChR receptor agonists, reduce L-dopa-induced dyskinesias, as well as antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia, and may be useful in Tourette's syndrome and ataxia. Subtype selective muscarinic cholinergic drugs may also provide effective therapies for Parkinson's disease, dyskinesias and dystonia. Continued studies/trials will help address this important issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryka Quik
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA
| | - James T Boyd
- University of Vermont Medical Center Neurology, Burlington, VT
| | - Tanuja Bordia
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA
| | - Xiomara Perez
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA
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Petrakis IL, Ralevski E, Gueorguieva R, O’Malley SS, Arias A, Sevarino KA, Jane JS, O’Brien E, Krystal JH. Mecamylamine treatment for alcohol dependence: a randomized controlled trial. Addiction 2018; 113:6-14. [PMID: 28710873 PMCID: PMC5725262 DOI: 10.1111/add.13943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, mecamylamine, is a potential novel pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder. The aims were to compare alcohol consumption between mecamylamine and placebo and test if smoking status modified treatment effects. DESIGN Out-patient, randomized, double-blind clinical trial for 12 weeks of treatment with mecamylamine (10 mg) (n = 65) versus placebo (n = 63). SETTING Connecticut, USA. PARTICIPANTS Individuals had current alcohol dependence (n = 128), had an average age of 48.5 [standard deviation (SD) = 9.4], 110 (85.9%) were men, and included 74 smokers (57.8%) and 54 non-smokers (42.2%). Participants were randomized to mecamylamine 10 mg per day or placebo. All subjects also received medical management therapy administered by trained research personnel. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcome was percentage of heavy drinking days during the last month of treatment; other outcomes included drinking days, drinks per drinking days, alcohol craving, smoking, symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and side effects. FINDINGS There were no significant differences in the percentage of heavy drinking days at 3 months between the mecamylamine (mean = 18.4, SD = 29.0) and placebo treatment groups (mean = 20.4, SD = 29.2) [F1, 100 = 1.3, P = 0.25; effect size d = 0.07; mean difference = 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -8.96 to 13.08]. There were no significant differences in percentage of drinking days or in drinks per drinking day at month 3 between the mecamylamine and placebo groups; there were no significant interactions. CONCLUSIONS Mecamylamine 10 mg per day did not reduce alcohol consumption significantly in treatment-seeking smokers and non-smokers with alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismene L. Petrakis
- VISN I Mental Illness Research Education Clinical Center (MIRECC)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
| | - Elizabeth Ralevski
- VISN I Mental Illness Research Education Clinical Center (MIRECC)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
| | - Ralitza Gueorguieva
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
- Yale University School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics
| | | | - Albert Arias
- VISN I Mental Illness Research Education Clinical Center (MIRECC)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
| | - Kevin A. Sevarino
- VISN I Mental Illness Research Education Clinical Center (MIRECC)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
| | - Jane S. Jane
- VISN I Mental Illness Research Education Clinical Center (MIRECC)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
| | - Erin O’Brien
- VISN I Mental Illness Research Education Clinical Center (MIRECC)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
| | - John H. Krystal
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
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Chronic Nicotine Mitigates Aberrant Inhibitory Motor Learning Induced by Motor Experience under Dopamine Deficiency. J Neurosci 2017; 36:5228-40. [PMID: 27170121 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2754-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Although dopamine receptor antagonism has long been associated with impairments in motor performance, more recent studies have shown that dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) antagonism, paired with a motor task, not only impairs motor performance concomitant with the pharmacodynamics of the drug, but also impairs future motor performance once antagonism has been relieved. We have termed this phenomenon "aberrant motor learning" and have suggested that it may contribute to motor symptoms in movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we show that chronic nicotine (cNIC), but not acute nicotine, treatment mitigates the acquisition of D2R-antagonist-induced aberrant motor learning in mice. Although cNIC mitigates D2R-mediated aberrant motor learning, cNIC has no effect on D1R-mediated motor learning. β2-containing nicotinic receptors in dopamine neurons likely mediate the protective effect of cNIC against aberrant motor learning, because selective deletion of β2 nicotinic subunits in dopamine neurons reduced D2R-mediated aberrant motor learning. Finally, both cNIC treatment and β2 subunit deletion blunted postsynaptic responses to D2R antagonism. These results suggest that a chronic decrease in function or a downregulation of β2-containing nicotinic receptors protects the striatal network against aberrant plasticity and aberrant motor learning induced by motor experience under dopamine deficiency. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Increasingly, aberrant plasticity and aberrant learning are recognized as contributing to the development and progression of movement disorders. Here, we show that chronic nicotine (cNIC) treatment or specific deletion of β2 nicotinic receptor subunits in dopamine neurons mitigates aberrant motor learning induced by dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) blockade in mice. Moreover, both manipulations also reduced striatal dopamine release and blunt postsynaptic responses to D2R antagonists. These results suggest that chronic downregulation of function and/or receptor expression of β2-containing nicotinic receptors alters presynaptic and postsynaptic striatal signaling to protect against aberrant motor learning. Moreover, these results suggest that cNIC treatment may alleviate motor symptoms and/or delay the deterioration of motor function in movement disorders by blocking aberrant motor learning.
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Roni MA, Rahman S. Effects of lobeline and reboxetine, fluoxetine, or bupropion combination on depression-like behaviors in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2015.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Roni MA, Rahman S. Effects of lobeline and reboxetine, fluoxetine, or bupropion combination on depression-like behaviors in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 139:1-6. [PMID: 26455278 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that lobeline, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligand, has antidepressant-like properties in mice. The present study investigated the possible additive or synergistic effects of lobeline in combination with commonly used antidepressants, such as reboxetine, fluoxetine, or bupropion, using the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swim test (FST) in C57BL/6J mice. Reboxetine (5 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.), fluoxetine (5 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.), or bupropion (2 or 4 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered 30 min before TST or FST. A fixed dose of lobeline (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected 15 min prior to tests. Co-administration of lobeline and reboxetine, fluoxetine, or bupropion significantly reduced immobility time in the TST and FST in comparison to the antidepressants used alone. The results suggest that lobeline enhanced the effects of reboxetine, fluoxetine, or bupropion in mice. Therefore, lobeline or similar nicotinic receptor ligand may have therapeutic potential as an adjunct for the treatment of major depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monzurul Amin Roni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA
| | - Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USA.
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Roni MA, Rahman S. The effects of lobeline on depression-like behavior and hippocampal cell proliferation following chronic stress in mice. Neurosci Lett 2015; 584:7-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2014.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Roni MA, Rahman S. The effects of lobeline on depression-like behavior and hippocampal cell proliferation following chronic stress in mice. Neurosci Lett 2015. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2014.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Roni MA, Rahman S. The effects of lobeline on nicotine withdrawal-induced depression-like behavior in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:2989-98. [PMID: 24682499 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3472-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Evidence suggests that neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) ligand lobeline has antidepressant-like properties. OBJECTIVES The present study investigated the effects of lobeline on nicotine withdrawal-induced depression-like behavior. METHODS Adult C57BL/6J mice were exposed to nicotine (200 μg/ml) in drinking solution for 3 weeks. During withdrawal, depression-like behavior was measured by the forced swim test (FST). We also determined norepinephrine (NE) levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus during nicotine withdrawal. Furthermore, we determined the effects of repeated treatment with lobeline or a selective α4β2 nAChR ligand 3-(pyridine-3́-yl)-cytisine on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element binding (p-CREB) protein expression in the hippocampus. RESULTS Withdrawal from chronic nicotine increased immobility time in the FST, a measure for depression-like behavior. Pretreatment with lobeline significantly decreased immobility time during nicotine withdrawal. In addition, pretreatment with lobeline attenuated nicotine withdrawal-induced increased NE levels in the PFC and hippocampus. Further, repeated treatment with lobeline or 3-(pyridine-3́-yl)-cytisine decreased immobility time in the FST and reduced withdrawal-induced increased BDNF and p-CREB expression in the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results indicate that lobeline attenuated nicotine withdrawal-induced depression-like behavior likely by targeting brain nAChRs, noradrenergic neurotransmission, and/or hippocampal BDNF. Thus, lobeline may have some potential to prevent smoking relapse by counteracting nicotine withdrawal-induced depression in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monzurul Amin Roni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, Avera Health and Science Center, SAV 265, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA
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Quik M, Zhang D, Perez XA, Bordia T. Role for the nicotinic cholinergic system in movement disorders; therapeutic implications. Pharmacol Ther 2014; 144:50-9. [PMID: 24836728 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
A large body of evidence using experimental animal models shows that the nicotinic cholinergic system is involved in the control of movement under physiological conditions. This work raised the question whether dysregulation of this system may contribute to motor dysfunction and whether drugs targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) may be of therapeutic benefit in movement disorders. Accumulating preclinical studies now show that drugs acting at nAChRs improve drug-induced dyskinesias. The general nAChR agonist nicotine, as well as several nAChR agonists (varenicline, ABT-089 and ABT-894), reduces l-dopa-induced abnormal involuntary movements or dyskinesias up to 60% in parkinsonian nonhuman primates and rodents. These dyskinesias are potentially debilitating abnormal involuntary movements that arise as a complication of l-dopa therapy for Parkinson's disease. In addition, nicotine and varenicline decrease antipsychotic-induced abnormal involuntary movements in rodent models of tardive dyskinesia. Antipsychotic-induced dyskinesias frequently arise as a side effect of chronic drug treatment for schizophrenia, psychosis and other psychiatric disorders. Preclinical and clinical studies also show that the nAChR agonist varenicline improves balance and coordination in various ataxias. Lastly, nicotine has been reported to attenuate the dyskinetic symptoms of Tourette's disorder. Several nAChR subtypes appear to be involved in these beneficial effects of nicotine and nAChR drugs including α4β2*, α6β2* and α7 nAChRs (the asterisk indicates the possible presence of other subunits in the receptor). Overall, the above findings, coupled with nicotine's neuroprotective effects, suggest that nAChR drugs have potential for future drug development for movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryka Quik
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA.
| | - Danhui Zhang
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Xiomara A Perez
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Tanuja Bordia
- Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
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