Smoking upregulates α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the human brain
Copyright policy )Smoking upregulates α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the human brain
The role of the alpha4beta2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in tobacco addiction in humans is largely unresolved. We visualized brain alpha4beta2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of smokers and non-smokers with positron emission tomography using 2-[(18)F]fluoro-3-(2(S)azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine, commonly known as 2-[(18)F]F-A-85380. The total brain distribution volume of 2-[(18)F]F-A-85380 was significantly increased in smokers. Statistical parametric mapping revealed that the most prominent regional differences of distribution volumes (DV) were found in cerebellum and brainstem with an increased uptake in smokers. The up-regulation of alpha4beta2* nAChR upon chronic nicotine exposure via tobacco smoking incorporates subcortical brain regions which may play an important role in nicotine addiction.
- University of Cologne Germany
- University of Bonn Germany
Behavior, Addictive, Male, Positron-Emission Tomography, Smoking, Brain, Humans, Middle Aged, Receptors, Nicotinic, Up-Regulation
Behavior, Addictive, Male, Positron-Emission Tomography, Smoking, Brain, Humans, Middle Aged, Receptors, Nicotinic, Up-Regulation
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