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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Local Application of Drugs to Study Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices
Published on: October 29, 2012
Nicotine induces brain CYP enzymes: relevance to Parkinson's disease
1Department of Pharmacology, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
Brain expression of cytochromes P450 2B6, 2D6 and 2E1 is higher in smokers, and is induced by nicotine in animals. These enzymes can metabolize many of the neurotoxins associated with Parkinson's disease. Since smoking is known to be protective against Parkinson's disease, we hypothesise that nicotine-induced elevation of brain CYPs in smokers may contribute to neuroprotection against Parkinson's disease. This supports the therapeutic use of nicotine to delay the progress of this disease.
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