The role of stimulation of specific brain nicotine pathways in addiction and anxiety

Grant number: 628680 | Funding period: 2010 - 2012

Completed

Abstract

Cigarette smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death and disease in Australia and worldwide. Nicotine contained in tobacco products acts on brain nicotine receptors, which plays an intrinsic role in addiction. One type of receptor for nicotine found in regions of the brain associated with drug-seeking behaviour is called alpha4 nicotinic receptors. We have made a mouse with a mutation in this nicotine receptor to study nicotine addiction and anxiety.

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