Neurophysiological mechanisms of tobacco relapse (review)

Abstract

Morbidity and mortality associated with tobacco use remain a major public health problem. Unfortunately, modern pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation have limited effectiveness, and most smokers repeatedly stop smoking. The better understanding of the neurobiological and neurophysiological mechanisms that contribute to the relapse of smoking is necessary for new drugs for the nicotine addiction treatment. The review examined preclinical studies aimed at identifying neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory systems that provide a relapse of nicotine consumption.

In preclinical studies, the efficacy of regulating extracellular neurotransmitters or neurotransmitter receptor activity using antagonists or receptor agonists (both full and partial) has been demonstrated. In particular, it was shown that a drug that selectively binds to acetylcholine receptors containing three a4- and two B2-subunits reduces the search for nicotine in rats. It was shown that new pharmacological approaches to reduce the craving for nicotine in animal models can be used in the future to reduce the risks of relapse of nicotine addiction in smokers.