Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

An Inexpensive, Scalable Behavioral Assay for Measuring Ethanol Sedation Sensitivity and Rapid Tolerance in Drosophila
Published on: April 15, 2015
Tobacco use is associated with reduced central serotonergic neurotransmission in type 1 alcohol-dependent individuals
Ulf Berggren1, Claudia Fahlke, Matts Eriksson
1Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
Background:
Reduced central serotonergic neurotransmission in alcohol dependence may be attributed to the effects of cigarette smoking (and possibly more specifically to nicotine) rather than to alcoholism or its subtypes. The aim of the present study was therefore to compare central serotonergic neurotransmission in tobacco-using (cigarette smokers and users of smokeless tobacco, i.e., snuffers) alcohol-dependent individuals to that of tobacco-nonusing alcohol-dependent individuals.
Methods:
The central serotonergic neurotransmission was assessed by the prolactin (PRL) response to the serotonin-releasing agent D-fenfluramine (30 mg orally). Male subjects (n = 37) aged 20-65 years were recruited for this purpose. They were all type 1 alcohol-dependent individuals and had ended their alcohol intake the day before the D-fenfluramine challenge test.
Results:
There was no difference in baseline PRL concentrations between tobacco-using (n = 18) and tobacco-nonusing (n = 19) alcohol-dependent individuals. On the other hand, the maximum PRL response after D-fenfluramine was significantly lower in the tobacco-using group as compared to the tobacco-nonusing individuals.
Conclusion:
Whether the reduction in central serotonergic neurotransmission in tobacco-using alcohol-dependent individuals is pre-existing or a result of tobacco use remains to be elucidated.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
G-protein Coupled Receptors
Drug Dependence
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating sympathetic or...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

