Long-term effects of chronic nicotine exposure on brain nicotinic receptors

Besson M. Granon S. Mameli-Engvall M. Cloëz-Tayarani I. Maubourguet N. Cormier A. Cazala P. David V. Changeux J. Faure P (2007). Long-term effects of chronic nicotine exposure on brain nicotinic receptors. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104(19), 8155-8160. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0702698104

Overall rating
(2.0) 1 review
Authors
Morgane Besson, Sylvie Granon, Monica Mameli-Engvall, Isabelle Cloëz-Tayarani, Nicolas Maubourguet, Anne Cormier, Pierre Cazala, Vincent David, Jean-Pierre Changeux, Philippe Faure
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
First published
2007
Number of citations
90
Type
Journal Article
DOI
10.1073/pnas.0702698104

Abstract

Chronic nicotine exposure results in long-term homeostatic regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that play a key role in the adaptative cellular processes leading to addiction. However, the relative contribution of the different nAChR subunits in this process is unclear. Using genetically modified mice and pharmacological manipulations, we provide behavioral, electrophysiological, and pharmacological evidence for a long-term mechanism by which chronic nicotine triggers opposing processes differentially mediated by β2*- vs. α7*nAChRs. These data offer previously undescribed insights into the understanding of nicotine addiction and the treatment of several human pathologies by nicotine-like agents chronically acting on β2*- or α7*nAChRs.

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Not Open Access

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ViridianWesternBlot Feb 23, 2026

What I understood from this paper is that chronic exposure to nicotine 1) does not cause effects until withdrawal 2) causes desensitisation of B2 nAChR subunit 3) involves A7 nAChRs in some capacity ("long-term modification of the presynaptic properties of glutamatergic terminals"?). I could not tell you anything else about this paper. Incredibly dense, not well-written so difficult to follow. I can't justify a lot of the methods they have used. The last figure (Figure 5) which is a schematic of the proposed mechanisms involving both these receptors is difficult to understand. Discussion is lacking. Tough read which is a shame because there are interesting results.