In vivo evidence for β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit upregulation in smokers as compared with nonsmokers with schizophrenia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Schizophrenia is associated with very high rates of tobacco smoking. The latter may be related to an attempt to self-medicate symptoms and/or to alterations in function of high-affinity β2-subunit-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (β2*-nAChRs).

Methods

Smoking and nonsmoking subjects with schizophrenia (n=31) and age-, smoking-, and sex-matched comparison subjects (n=31) participated in one [123I]5-IA-85380 single photon emission computed tomography scan to quantify β2*-nAChR availability. Psychiatric, cognitive, nicotine craving, and mood assessments were obtained during active smoking, as well as smoking abstinence.

Results

There were no differences in smoking characteristics between smokers with and without schizophrenia. Subjects with schizop

SUBMITTER: Esterlis I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4019710 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature