Mechanism of stress effects on weight in nicotine withdrawal

Institution:	University of California, San Francisco
Investigator(s):	Jon Levine, M.D., Ph.D.
Award Cycle:	1998 (Cycle 7)	Grant #: 7RT-0068	Award: $407,019
Subject Area:	Nicotine Dependence
Award Type:	Research Project Awards

Abstracts

Initial Award Abstract

Smoking related diseases constitute an extremely important public health problem, in terms of both human suffering and economic cost. While many diseases caused by smoking are probably not related to the nicotine in tobacco smoke, addiction to nicotine plays a significant role in the great difficulty in stopping smoking. One of the most important factors that discourages smoking cessation is stress related gain in body weight. We propose that through its potent effects on the brain, nicotine alters the body's responses to stress, and in this way promotes weight gain during nicotine withdrawal. Through this project we will understand the changes in the body 's response to stress that occur due to nicotine withdrawal when smoking is stopped. This information will be used to aid in the development of methods to treat nicotine withdrawal syndrome, so that people can be more successful at stopping smoking. The results of this study will particularly benefit young people who are still becoming smokers in large numbers and find it very difficult to stop. It will also benefit women who are particularly susceptible to concerns over weight control. If nicotine withdrawal induced weight gain can be better controlled, smoking cessation rates should increase dramatically, benefiting countless individuals and society as a whole.

Publications

Pain-induced analgesia mediated by mesolimbic reward circuits
Periodical: Journal of Neuroscience			Index Medicus:
Authors: Gear RW, Aley KO, Levine JD				ART
Yr: 1999	Vol: 19	Nbr:	Abs:	Pg: 7175-7181

Nicotine withdrawal Hyperalgesia and opioid-mediated analgesia depend on nicotine receptors in nucleus accumbens.
Periodical: Neuroscience			Index Medicus:
Authors: Schmidt BL, Tambeli CH, Gear RW, Levine JD				ART
Yr: 2002	Vol:	Nbr:	Abs:	Pg: 1-8

m/d cooperatividy and opposing k-opioid effects in nucleus accumbens-mediated antinociception in the rat.
Periodical: European Journal of Neuroscience			Index Medicus:
Authors: Schmidt B, Tanbeli C, Levine J				ART
Yr: 2002	Vol: 15	Nbr:	Abs:	Pg: 1-9

Pain-induced analgesia mediated by mesolimbic reward circuits
Periodical: Journal of Neuroscience			Index Medicus:
Authors: Gear RW, Aley KO, Levine JD				ART
Yr: 1999	Vol: 19	Nbr:	Abs:	Pg: 7175-7181

Nicotine withdrawal Hyperalgesia and opioid-mediated analgesia depend on nicotine receptors in nucleus accumbens.
Periodical: Neuroscience			Index Medicus:
Authors: Schmidt BL, Tambeli CH, Gear RW, Levine JD				ART
Yr: 2002	Vol:	Nbr:	Abs:	Pg: 1-8

m/d cooperatividy and opposing k-opioid effects in nucleus accumbens-mediated antinociception in the rat.
Periodical: European Journal of Neuroscience			Index Medicus:
Authors: Schmidt B, Tanbeli C, Levine J				ART
Yr: 2002	Vol: 15	Nbr:	Abs:	Pg: 1-9