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 |
- 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
-
Antiangiogenesis for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Venlafaxine in Children and Adolescents with ADHD: A Systematic Review of Non-controlled and Controlled Trials
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials MicroRNAs in Skin Response to UV Radiation
Current Drug Targets Implications of Angiotensin II in Central Nervous System on Exercise Performance
Current Protein & Peptide Science Creutzfeldt-Jakob, Parkinson, Lewy Body Dementia and Alzheimer Diseases: From Diagnosis to Therapy
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Mechanism-Based Treatment in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: The Role of Antidepressants
Current Pharmaceutical Design Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer Disease: Developing a Better Model as a Tool for Therapeutic Interventions
Current Pharmaceutical Design Ginkgo biloba Extract 761: A Review of Basic Studies and Potential Clinical Use in Psychiatric Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Stem Cells Derived from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth (SHED) in Neuronal Disorders: A Review
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Neurobiological Underpinnings of the Estrogen - Mood Relationship
Current Psychiatry Reviews Validation of a New Imaging Technique Using the Glucose Metabolism to Amyloid Deposition Ratio in the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Does the Association Between Anxiety and Parkinsons Disease Really Exist? A Literature Review
Current Psychiatry Reviews The Potential of Tetrandrine Against Gliomas
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Alzheimer Research The Multiple Roles of Vitamin D in Human Health. A Mini-Review
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Identification and Characterization of New Proteins in Podocyte Dysfunction of Membranous Nephropathy by Proteomic Analysis of Renal Biopsy
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Current Gene Expression Studies in Esophageal Carcinoma
Current Genomics Prescription Opioid Abuse and its Potential Role in Gross Dental Decay
Current Drug Safety In silico Screening and Molecular Interaction Studies of Tetrahydrocannabinol and its Derivatives with Acetylcholine Binding Protein
Current Chemical Biology Testosterone as Potential Effective Therapy in Treatment of Obesity in Men with Testosterone Deficiency: A Review
Current Diabetes Reviews