7. Summary and References

Nicotine is addictive and has psychopharmacological effects on the brain that maintains the use of tobacco products. Nicotine may play a role in modulating the release of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate through presynaptic nicotinic receptors. The effects of nicotine on the dopaminergic system appear to be central to its reinforcing properties.

Nicotine has a number of effects on the neuroendocrine system. Twin studies estimate that the majority of the liability to become and to remain a smoker is explained by additive genetic factors. Nicotine that crosses the placenta during maternal smoking has harmful effects on offspring to include neurological abnormalities, developmental delays, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Cigarette smoking is both comorbid with and genetically correlated with alcoholism. Other diseases, such as major depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Tourette’s syndrome, are also influenced. Nicotine either alters the course of the disease or maintains the use of tobacco.

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