Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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...

Stimulants

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...

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic

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...

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

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...

Drug Dependence

Drug Dependence

Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...

Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Cholinergic agonists or cholinomimetics mimic the action of acetylcholine to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. They are categorized into direct-acting and indirect-acting agents. The direct-acting cholinergic drugs induce the parasympathetic response by directly binding to the muscarinic or nicotine receptors. In comparison, the indirect-acting cholinergic drugs prevent acetylcholine hydrolysis, indirectly contributing to the extended parasympathetic response.
The direct-acting...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Nicotine Withdrawal Drives Aversive Behaviors by Recruiting Inhibitory Interpeduncular Nucleus Inputs to the Laterodorsal Tegmentum in Mice.

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience·2025

Same author

Opposing Motor Memories in the Direct and Indirect Pathways of the Basal Ganglia.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024

Same author

A cholinergic circuit that relieves pain despite opioid tolerance.

Neuron·2023

Same author

Nicotine aversion is mediated by GABAergic interpeduncular nucleus inputs to laterodorsal tegmentum.

Nature communications·2018

Same author

Nicotinic modulation of descending pain control circuitry.

Pain·2017

Same author

Sensitizing exposure to amphetamine increases AMPA receptor phosphorylation without increasing cell surface expression in the rat nucleus accumbens.

Neuropharmacology·2017

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

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

Nicotine's Allure.

Daniel S McGehee¹

¹Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue MC4028, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. dmcgehee@uchicago.edu

|September 17, 2009

Summary

Nicotine rewards are linked to memory, with new research showing nicotine boosts dopamine in the hippocampus. This dopamine release supports synaptic plasticity and reinforces drug-seeking behaviors.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Memory Research
Addiction Science

Background:

Conscious and unconscious memory mechanisms influence the rewarding effects of nicotine and other drugs of abuse.
Understanding the neural basis of drug reward is crucial for developing effective addiction treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the link between nicotine-induced dopamine release in the hippocampus and synaptic plasticity.
To determine how these neurobiological changes contribute to behavioral reinforcement.

Main Methods:

Utilized in vivo measures of synaptic plasticity in freely moving mice.
Monitored dopamine release in the hippocampus following nicotine administration.
Assessed long-term potentiation (LTP) induction.

More Related Videos

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

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

Published on: January 25, 2019

Local Application of Drugs to Study Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices

Local Application of Drugs to Study Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices

Published on: October 29, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

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

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

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

Published on: January 25, 2019

Local Application of Drugs to Study Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices

Local Application of Drugs to Study Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Function in Mouse Brain Slices

Published on: October 29, 2012

Main Results:

Nicotine administration led to increased dopamine release in the hippocampus.
This dopamine release was correlated with the induction of LTP.
The observed synaptic changes were linked to behavioral reinforcement.

Conclusions:

Nicotine-induced dopamine release in the hippocampus plays a key role in synaptic plasticity.
These neurobiological adaptations contribute to the rewarding effects and reinforcement of nicotine use.
Findings highlight the involvement of memory mechanisms in drug addiction.