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Related Concept Videos

Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants01:23

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...
Stimulants01:29

Stimulants

Stimulants are substances that enhance neural activity and elevate dopamine levels in the brain, leading to their highly addictive nature. These drugs include cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, caffeine, and nicotine, each with distinct mechanisms of action and varied health implications.
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine01:27

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic01:15

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic

Nicotinic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by acetylcholine and nicotine. Upon activation, they cause a rapid increase in the permeability of cells to K+, Na+, and Ca2+, followed by depolarization and excitation. They are in the autonomic ganglia, skeletal neuromuscular junction, CNS, and adrenal medulla.
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration
08:47

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration

Published on: February 10, 2012

Nicotine and brain development.

Jennifer B Dwyer1, Ron S Broide, Frances M Leslie

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA. jbdwyer@uci.edu

Birth Defects Research. Part C, Embryo Today : Reviews
|April 3, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Nicotine exposure during pregnancy harms brain development by disrupting acetylcholine signaling through nicotinic receptors. This can lead to lasting neurological deficits, highlighting the need for safer smoking cessation methods for expectant mothers.

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Live Imaging of Nicotine Induced Calcium Signaling and Neurotransmitter Release Along Ventral Hippocampal Axons

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Probing Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices via Laser Flash Photolysis of Photoactivatable Nicotine
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Probing Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices via Laser Flash Photolysis of Photoactivatable Nicotine

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Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration
08:47

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration

Published on: February 10, 2012

Live Imaging of Nicotine Induced Calcium Signaling and Neurotransmitter Release Along Ventral Hippocampal Axons
12:19

Live Imaging of Nicotine Induced Calcium Signaling and Neurotransmitter Release Along Ventral Hippocampal Axons

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Probing Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices via Laser Flash Photolysis of Photoactivatable Nicotine
10:48

Probing Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices via Laser Flash Photolysis of Photoactivatable Nicotine

Published on: January 25, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Acetylcholine is crucial for brain maturation, acting via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).
  • nAChRs are vital during fetal development, influencing neurotransmitter release, gene expression, and neuronal growth.
  • Nicotine exposure can negatively impact brain development and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of acetylcholine and nAChRs in brain development.
  • To examine the detrimental effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on the developing brain.
  • To discuss the implications for maternal smoking and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical studies, primarily using rodent models.
  • Analysis of the effects of nAChR activation and nicotine exposure on neurodevelopmental processes.
  • Examination of long-term consequences of altered cholinergic modulation.

Main Results:

  • Nicotine exposure alters sexual differentiation, cell survival, and synaptogenesis in the developing brain.
  • Prenatal nicotine can lead to long-term changes in nAChR function and neural circuitry.
  • These alterations may contribute to sudden infant death syndrome and auditory-cognitive deficits.

Conclusions:

  • Nicotine acts as a neural teratogen, posing significant risks to fetal brain development.
  • Prenatal nicotine exposure has detrimental and lasting effects on brain structure and function.
  • Safer alternatives to NRT are needed for pregnant women seeking to quit smoking.