Abstract
Drug addiction is a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder which is characterized by a compulsion to take drugs and loss of control in limiting intake. The worldwide impact of drug addiction on morbidity and mortality is very high. Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies suggests that brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), play a critical role in various addictive disorders, including nicotine addiction and alcoholism. Thus, there is an increasing impetus in developing new therapeutics for addictive disorders by targeting brain nAChRs. This review highlights the important preclinical findings involving nAChR ligands in regulating nicotine, alcohol and other addictive drug-induced neurobiological changes in animal models and humans. A number of partial agonists or antagonists targeting nAChRs have shown therapeutic benefit in nicotine addiction and alcohol use disorders are also discussed. Furthermore, the role of nAChRs in other addictive disorders is reviewed. Overall, novel pharmacological agents that target brain nAChRs for future drug development are discussed.
Keywords: Drug addiction, nicotinic receptors, nicotine addiction, alcoholism, cocaine, opioids, pharmacotherapy, drug development.
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title:Nicotinic Receptors as Therapeutic Targets for Drug Addictive Disorders
Volume: 12 Issue: 5
Author(s): Shafiqur Rahman
Affiliation:
Keywords: Drug addiction, nicotinic receptors, nicotine addiction, alcoholism, cocaine, opioids, pharmacotherapy, drug development.
Abstract: Drug addiction is a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder which is characterized by a compulsion to take drugs and loss of control in limiting intake. The worldwide impact of drug addiction on morbidity and mortality is very high. Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies suggests that brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), play a critical role in various addictive disorders, including nicotine addiction and alcoholism. Thus, there is an increasing impetus in developing new therapeutics for addictive disorders by targeting brain nAChRs. This review highlights the important preclinical findings involving nAChR ligands in regulating nicotine, alcohol and other addictive drug-induced neurobiological changes in animal models and humans. A number of partial agonists or antagonists targeting nAChRs have shown therapeutic benefit in nicotine addiction and alcohol use disorders are also discussed. Furthermore, the role of nAChRs in other addictive disorders is reviewed. Overall, novel pharmacological agents that target brain nAChRs for future drug development are discussed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Rahman Shafiqur, Nicotinic Receptors as Therapeutic Targets for Drug Addictive Disorders, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2013; 12 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527311312050011
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871527311312050011 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Heart and Brain Axis Targets in CNS Neurological Disorders
Recently there has been a surge of interest in delving deeper into the complex interplay between the heart and brain. This fascination stems from a growing recognition of the profound influence each organ holds over the other, particularly in the realm of central nervous system (CNS) neurological disorders. The purpose ...read more
Lifestyle Interventions to Prevent and Treat Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
More than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide. By 2050, the population affected by dementia will exceed 139 million individuals. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a pre-dementia stage, also known as prodromal dementia, affecting older adults. MCI emerges years before the manifestation of dementia but can be avoidable and ...read more
Pathogenic Proteins in Neurodegenerative Diseases: From Mechanisms to Treatment Modalities
The primary objective of this thematic issue is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which pathogenic proteins contribute to neurodegenerative diseases and to highlight current and emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating their effects. By bringing together cutting-edge research and reviews, this issue aims to: 1.Enhance Understanding: Provide a comprehensive ...read more
Role of glial cells in autism spectrum disorder: Molecular mechanism and therapeutic approaches
Emerging evidence suggests that glial cells may play a pivotal role in neuroanatomical and behavioral changes found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many individuals with ASD experience a neuro-immune system abnormalities throughout life, which implicates a potential role of microglia in the pathogenesis of ASD. Dysfunctional astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were ...read more
![](/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Macrophage Heterogeneity: Relevance and Functional Implications in Atherosclerosis
Current Vascular Pharmacology Dedication:
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-related Intracerebral Hemorrhage Score For Predicting Outcome
Current Neurovascular Research Rheumatoid Foot and Ankle Surgery
Current Rheumatology Reviews Microwave Energy in Ugi Four-Component Reaction (Ugi-4CR): Expedient Synthesis of Steroid-Peptide Conjugates Based on Aminosteroids - An Important Class of Hybrid Systems
Current Organic Synthesis Lymphatics and Inflammation
Current Medicinal Chemistry Development of a Nasal Donepezil-loaded Microemulsion for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: in vitro and ex vivo Characterization
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Medical Implications of Gastrointestinal Vagal Afferent Pathways in Nausea and Vomiting
Current Pharmaceutical Design Phenomics of Vascular Disease: The Systematic Approach to the Combination Therapy
Current Vascular Pharmacology Synthesis and Analgesic Properties of Lidocaine Derivatives with Substituted Aminobenzothiazoles
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Structural and Functional Characterization of Pathogenic Non- Synonymous Genetic Mutations of Human Insulin-Degrading Enzyme by In Silico Methods
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Confocal Microscopy Evidence of Prion Protein Fragment hPrP[173-195] Internalization in Rat B104 Neuroblastoma Cell Line
Protein & Peptide Letters Critical View on the Usage of Ribavirin in Already Existing Psychostimulant-Use Disorder
Current Pharmaceutical Design Gene Therapy in the Management of Parkinson’s Disease: Potential of GDNF as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy
Current Gene Therapy Allosteric Modulators for mGlu Receptors
Current Neuropharmacology UBQ-8i Polymorphism is not An Independent Risk Factor for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease in APOE-4 Carriers
Current Alzheimer Research CIAPIN1 siRNA Inhibits Proliferation, Migration and Promotes Apoptosis of VSMCs by Regulating Bcl-2 and Bax
Current Neurovascular Research Hippocampal BDNF Expression in a Tau Transgenic Mouse Model
Current Alzheimer Research Possible Physiopathological Effects of the Transglutaminase Activity on the Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Human Neurodegenerative Diseases
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Monoamine Receptors and Signal Transduction Mechanisms in Suicide
Current Psychiatry Reviews