Intravenous nicotine reduces cerebral glucose metabolism: a preliminary study.

Abstract

Nicotine is self-administered by smoking tobacco products, and enhances positive mood (at least in smokers). Since most drugs of abuse decrease regional cerebral metabolic rate(s) for glucose (rCMRglc) in human subjects, we posited that administration of nicotine would similarly reduce rCMRglc. Positron emission tomography (PET) with [F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose was used to assess the effects of intravenous nicotine (1.5 mg) on cerebral glucose metabolism in six healthy male volunteers (21-38 years of age). Two PET assays (placebo and nicotine) were performed, and subjective self-reports of mood and feeling state were collected. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. Nicotine reduced glo..