Role of Glutamate/ACh co-release in nicotine addiction

In order to develop new approaches to prevent and treat nicotine addiction we must achieve a more complete understanding of the neural circuits and molecular mechanisms that control motivation which become altered and damaged by nicotine to produce the compulsive or habitual behaviors that define nicotine dependence.  We will use use state-of-the-art molecular genetic techniques to interrogate some of these neural circuits in mouse models and define their relevance to the initiation and progression of nicotine dependence.  The knowledge we gain may lead to breakthroughs in the development of novel pharmacological or other therapies to treat or prevent nicotine addiction.