July 28, 2011 - Removing a protein from cells located in the brain’s reward center blocks the anxiety-reducing and rewarding effects of nicotine, according to a new animal study in The Journal of Neuroscience. Researchers found that removing a specific type of nicotinic receptor from brain cells that produce dopamine—a chemical released in response to reward—makes mice less likely to seek out nicotine. The mice also did not show reductions in anxiety-like behaviors normally seen after nicotine treatment. Smokers commonly report anxiety relief as a key factor in continued smoking or relapse. “Identification of the type of nicotinic receptors necessary for two key features of nicotine addiction - reward and anxiety - may help us better understand the pathway that leads to nicotine dependence, and potential treatment for the one billion cigarette smokers worldwide,” said Tresa McGranahan who led the study. These findings could guide researchers to a better understanding of the mechanisms of tobacco addiction and how nicotine affects the brain, assisting in the development of new drugs to treat tobacco addiction and provide relief from anxiety disorders.

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