Nicotinic Receptor Modulators in Nicotine Dependence
Abstracts
Initial Award Abstract |
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Nicotine addiction results in numerous negative health consequences and millions of deaths each year. While the use of tobacco cigarettes has generally declined in recent years, this has been met with an unparalleled increase in the use of electronic cigarettes. After an individual consumes nicotine, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain are activated, leading to the development of addiction. This proposed research will investigate the role of proteins that interact with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which regulate nicotine's actions in the brain. By providing fundamental insights into novel cellular mechanisms that underlie nicotine dependence, findings from these studies may identify targets for the development of more efficacious therapeutics to treat nicotine/smoking dependence in humans. |
