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Development of nicotinic drug therapy for cognitive disorders.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Levin, ED; Rezvani, AH
Published in: Eur J Pharmacol
March 30, 2000

Nicotine, as well as other nicotinic drugs, may provide useful therapeutic treatment for a variety of cognitive impairments including those found in Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We have found that nicotine skin patches significantly improve attentional performance in people with these disease states as well as normal nonsmoking adults. Animal models are critical for determining the neurobehavioral bases for nicotinic effects on cognitive function. We have found in lesion and local infusion studies with rats that the hippocampus is an important substrate for nicotinic effects on working memory function. Both alpha7 and alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptors in the hippocampus are involved. Further work has investigated the relationship of nicotinic systems with dopaminergic and glutaminergic systems in the basis of cognitive function. Nicotine has proven to be a useful prototypic compound for the family of nicotinic compounds. It produces cognitive improvements in both animal models and clinical populations. Recent work with more selective nicotinic receptor agonists and antagonists in animal models is providing important information concerning the neural mechanisms for nicotinic involvement in cognitive function and opening avenues for development of safe and effective nicotinic treatments for clinical use.

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Published In

Eur J Pharmacol

DOI

ISSN

0014-2999

Publication Date

March 30, 2000

Volume

393

Issue

1-3

Start / End Page

141 / 146

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Smoking
  • Schizophrenia
  • Rats
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Nicotine
  • Memory
  • Learning
  • Humans
  • Drug Design
 

Citation

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Levin, E. D., & Rezvani, A. H. (2000). Development of nicotinic drug therapy for cognitive disorders. Eur J Pharmacol, 393(1–3), 141–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0014-2999(99)00885-7
Levin, E. D., and A. H. Rezvani. “Development of nicotinic drug therapy for cognitive disorders.Eur J Pharmacol 393, no. 1–3 (March 30, 2000): 141–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0014-2999(99)00885-7.
Levin ED, Rezvani AH. Development of nicotinic drug therapy for cognitive disorders. Eur J Pharmacol. 2000 Mar 30;393(1–3):141–6.
Levin, E. D., and A. H. Rezvani. “Development of nicotinic drug therapy for cognitive disorders.Eur J Pharmacol, vol. 393, no. 1–3, Mar. 2000, pp. 141–46. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0014-2999(99)00885-7.
Levin ED, Rezvani AH. Development of nicotinic drug therapy for cognitive disorders. Eur J Pharmacol. 2000 Mar 30;393(1–3):141–146.
Journal cover image

Published In

Eur J Pharmacol

DOI

ISSN

0014-2999

Publication Date

March 30, 2000

Volume

393

Issue

1-3

Start / End Page

141 / 146

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Smoking
  • Schizophrenia
  • Rats
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy
  • Nicotinic Agonists
  • Nicotine
  • Memory
  • Learning
  • Humans
  • Drug Design