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Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants

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...

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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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice

Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice

Published on: February 18, 2016

Nicotine and behavioral sensitization.

Danyan Mao¹, Daniel S McGehee

¹Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, MC4028, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.

Journal of Molecular Neuroscience : MN

|August 12, 2009

Summary

Nicotine, the main component in tobacco, affects brain reward pathways. This review explores nicotine

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Addiction Research

Background:

Tobacco use causes significant mortality and healthcare costs.
Nicotine is the primary psychoactive substance in tobacco.
The cellular mechanisms underlying nicotine's behavioral effects are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in understanding nicotine's impact on the brain's reward system.
To identify key unanswered questions regarding nicotine's neurobiological effects.

Main Methods:

Review of existing scientific literature on nicotine's effects.
Focus on the mesoaccumbens dopamine system.
Analysis of research on neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity.

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

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

Published on: February 10, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice

Assessment of Cocaine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and Conditioned Place Preference in Mice

Published on: February 18, 2016

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

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

Published on: February 10, 2012

Main Results:

Nicotine significantly influences neuronal excitability within reward pathways.
Synaptic plasticity in these pathways is altered by nicotine exposure.
The mesoaccumbens dopamine system is a key target for nicotine's rewarding effects.

Conclusions:

Understanding nicotine's cellular actions is crucial for addressing tobacco addiction.
Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complexities of nicotine's effects on brain reward circuits.
Targeting these pathways may offer strategies for smoking cessation and addiction treatment.