Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), led by Dr. Hae-in Im, have identified a new mechanism in the brain responsible for nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which could lead to more effective treatment strategies for nicotine addiction.
Experiments conducted on mice revealed that nicotine withdrawal causes excessive activity in specific brain regions, particularly leading to physical symptoms such as tremors and reduced movement. These symptoms contribute to the high failure rate of smoking cessation attempts. The study focused on striatal cholinergic interneurons, a type of neuron involved in regulating these withdrawal-induced disruptions.
By selectively inhibiting sodium channels in these cholinergic interneurons, scientists significantly reduced nicotine withdrawal-induced tremors. Using advanced multi-electrode array technology, they demonstrated that blocking these neurons prevented pathological changes in brain activity associated with withdrawal.
Further analysis using microdialysis techniques showed that inhibiting cholinergic interneurons restored dopamine levels in the striatum, which typically decline during nicotine withdrawal. Based on this discovery, researchers explored the potential of Procyclidine, an FDA-approved Parkinson’s disease medication, as a treatment for nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Administering a low dose of Procyclidine before inducing nicotine withdrawal reduced tremors by over 50%. This suggests that Procyclidine, a widely available and safe drug, could be repurposed to alleviate nicotine withdrawal symptoms, accelerating clinical application. According to Dr. Hae-in Im, “This study opens up new possibilities for the treatment of nicotine addiction by mitigating withdrawal symptoms. It offers an additional treatment option alongside existing medications such as Bupropion and Varenicline.”
This breakthrough provides a promising approach to nicotine addiction treatment, potentially increasing the success rate of smoking cessation efforts while minimizing withdrawal-related discomfort.
