Neurotoxicology of nicotine and tobacco

Nicotine exposure causes well characterized neurotoxic effects, which are highly dependent on the age of exposure. During early development, nicotine exposure causes persistent neural and behavioral impairments, even with low doses modeling second-hand or environmental tobacco smoke exposure. Nicotine-induced neurodevelopmental toxicity is seen across a variety of neural systems and behavioral functions in a spectrum of species from sea urchins, fish and birds to mice and rats to monkeys and humans. In addition to early development, adolescence is also a vulnerable period for nicotine neurotoxicity with persisting effects on nicotinic receptor regulation and increased liability to nicotine self-administration. Fewer neurotoxic signs of moderate doses of nicotine are seen in adults and during aging. In fact, there is some evidence for potential therapeutic effects of nicotine and similar chemicals for particularly for treating cognitive impairment. The principal neurotoxic effects of moderate nicotine doses in adults derive from the fact that nicotine is the main driving force underlying tobacco addiction resulting in the self-administration of a variety of neurotoxic chemicals. Future research concerning nicotine neurotoxicity should include the interactions of nicotine effects with other toxic chemicals in tobacco, in e-cigarettes, in co-administered drugs of abuse and environmental toxicants.

Duke Scholars

Author Edward Daniel Levin Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neur ...