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Updated: May 11, 2026

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration
Published on: February 10, 2012
[Nicotine dependence and its molecular pharmacology]
Reiji Yoshimura1, Jun Nakamura
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan.
Abstract:
Mounting evidence indicates that addictive effects of nicotine occur through interaction with its receptors in the mesolimbic dopamine system, particularly ventral tegmental area neurons, where nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) act to promote the release of dopamine. Indeed chronic treatment with nicotine leads to an up-regulation in the number of alpha4beta2-subunit nAChRs. Moreover, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors are also involved in the regulation of dopamine release.
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