Neurobiology of tobacco smoking and other addictive disorders

• Published in: The Psychiatric clinics of North America Vol. 22; no. 2; p. 301
• Main Authors: Gamberino, W C, Gold, M S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.1999
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Behavior, Addictive - physiopathology; Brain - metabolism; Female; Humans; Limbic System - metabolism; Male; Neurotransmitter Agents - metabolism; Reward; Smoking - physiopathology; Smoking Cessation - methods; Smoking Prevention; Substance-Related Disorders - physiopathology; Tobacco Use Disorder - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0193-953X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0193-953X(05)70078-2

Advances in research of the neurobiology of addictive disorders have provided clinicians with an evolving perspective on addiction. All drugs of abuse seem to share a common neurobiologic substrate involving the mesocorticolimbic system. Considerable evidence shows that these dopaminergic projections are involved in the positive brain reward, which drives addictive disorders; however, recent studies also implicate the neurotransmitters glutamate and serotonin in learning and sensitization to drug use. A review of the neurobiology of tobacco smoking provides further examples of the mechanisms for reinforcing tobacco use, including the enhancement of memory and treatment of depression with nicotine and MAO-inhibiting chemicals in tobacco smoke respectively. The relevance of these advances may be realized through the destigmatization of addictive disorders and the development of new and improved treatment strategies.