Molecular Basis of Nicotine as a Gateway Drug
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
- This study details the molecular mechanisms that allow nicotine to play a role as a gateway drug. The authors explain that, based on research on animal models, nicotine exerts a priming effect on cocaine through creating gene-expression environments in various areas of the brain that potentiate the effects of cocaine. The priming effect appears to occur only during simultaneous use of nicotine and cocaine, which is consistent with epidemiologic data that show most people who begin using cocaine do so during concurrent tobacco use.
- The authors conclude that these findings suggest that smoking prevention and interventions may not only prevent negative health consequences of tobacco but also may decrease illicit drug use and addiction.
ABSTRACT
A Molecular Basis for Nicotine as a Gateway Drug
N. Engl. J. Med 2014 Sep 04;371(10)932-943, ER Kandel, DB KandelPosted by: Kartono Mohamad <mohnuh2002@yahoo.com>
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