Posted by SLS on January 19, 2009, at 19:02:46
In reply to Re: Nicotine increases GAD67 levels in schizophrenia, posted by linkadge on January 19, 2009, at 18:27:54
> >I guess there are some ethical questions about >prescribing such an addictive substance, >especially if it is only mildly palliative. I >don't know. I felt somehow naive.
>
> We know that smoking is addictive, but we have far less evidence of the extend to which nicotine is addictive. Mice don't really self administer nicotine in the way that they do other drugs of abuse.
>
> Some studies call into question the notion that nicotine is infact a euphoriant at all:
>
> http://biopsychiatry.com/cigarettes-pleasure.htm
>
> People generally find a steady number of cigarettes that does it for them. There is not a steady dose escalation like there is with other drugs.
>
> Furthermore, because of the fact that smoking is often comorbid with depresson/schizophrenia whose to say that people simply can't stop smoking because it controlls their symptoms. I.e. is nicotine any more addictive than zyprexa is, or paxil ?
>
> I think the main thing is that nicotine cannot be patented.
>
> Linkadge
Nicotine is not addictive in the same way as are cocaine or amphetamines. That makes it no less addictive. Mice can be Pavlovian conditioned to anticipate nicotine administration and demonstrate hyperactivity in between doses, especially when it is withheld. Mice also demonstrate conditioned place-preference with nicotine. Self-administration is therefore not the right paradigm to assay nicotine addiction.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:874824
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/875018.html