The brain region associated with movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease is also linked to physical nicotine withdrawal symptoms. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — Scientists have discovered that the brain region associated with movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease is also linked to physical nicotine withdrawal symptoms, potentially opening new avenues for smoking cessation treatment.
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced on January 8 that researchers led by Dr. Im Heh-in have identified a new brain region and neural pathway that regulate tobacco withdrawal symptoms.
When smokers quit, specific brain regions become highly active, leading to physical withdrawal symptoms such as hand tremors and reduced activity. These symptoms often disrupt daily life and can trigger relapse.
The research team hypothesized that physical withdrawal symptoms might be connected to the striatal cholinergic interneurons within the striatum, a brain region strongly associated with movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, due to similarities in motor symptoms.
In experiments with mice, selectively inhibiting sodium channel expression in striatal cholinergic interneurons significantly reduced hand tremors caused by nicotine withdrawal. Microdialysis experiments, which analyze brain fluid through inserted probes, showed that inhibiting these interneurons restored striatal dopamine secretion to normal levels from the 20% reduction caused by nicotine withdrawal.
The team then tested procyclidine, an FDA-approved Parkinson’s disease medication, on mice before inducing nicotine withdrawal. A single low dose reduced hand tremors by more than 50%.
“This research suggests new possibilities for smoking cessation treatment by demonstrating that an established Parkinson’s medication could potentially treat physical nicotine withdrawal symptoms,” Im explained. “We will continue working to understand various addiction issues, including nicotine dependence, and lead the development of effective treatments.”
The findings were published in the international journal Advanced Science last November.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
