Nicotine Dependence-treatment for the 1990s

Are differences in guidelines for the treatment of nicotine dependence and non-nicotine dependence justified?

Despite the many similarities between nicotine dependence and other drug dependences, national guidelines for their treatment differ in several respects. The recent national guideline for the treatment of nicotine dependence has (i) less emphasis on detailed assessment; (ii) less emphasis on treatment of psychiatric comorbidity; (iii) less acceptance of reduction of use as an initial treatment ...

The neurobiological basis for partial agonist treatment of nicotine dependence.

Smoking cessation has major health benefits for men and women of all ages. However, most smokers are addicted to nicotine and fail repeatedly in their attempts to quit. Stimulation of nicotinic receptors in the brain, particularly alpha4beta2 receptors, releases dopamine in the meso-limbic area of the brain and is reinforcing. Nicotine abstinence reduces dopamine release, and this is associated...

Methods for smoking cessation and treatment of nicotine dependence.

Smoking is related to 30% of cancer deaths. It is a risk factor for respiratory tract, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, uterine cervix, kidney and bladder carcinomas. Nicotine induces tolerance and addiction by acting on the central dopaminergic pathways, thus leading to pleasure and reward sensations within the limbic system. It stimulates the central nervous system (CNS), enhances alertness and ...

CYP2A6 Polymorphisms May Strengthen Individualized Treatment for Nicotine Dependence

Each CYP2A6 gene variant metabolizes nicotine differently depending on its enzymatic activities. The normal nicotine metabolizer CYP2A6(*)1A is associated with high scores of nicotine dependence (5-10) on the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) scale because it encodes for enzymes that catalyze nicotine 100%. Slow nicotine metabolizers (i.e., CYP2A6(*)1H, CYP2A6(*)4A, CYP2A6(*)9, and...

Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence