The β3 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is required for nicotine withdrawal-induced affective but not physical signs or nicotine reward in mice.

ABSTRACT: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are the primary target for nicotine, the addictive component in tobacco products. These pentameric receptors are made up of various subunits which contribute to the diverse functions of nAChR subtypes. The β3 subunit of the nAChR has been understudied in nicotine dependence, even though it is expressed in brain regions important for drug reward. Therefore, we assessed nicotine dependence behaviors in β3 wildtype (WT) and knockout (KO) male and female mice. We evaluated nicotine reward in the conditioned place preference (CPP) test and then measured nicotine withdrawal signs after chronic exposure to the drug. For the withdrawal studies, mice were continuously infused with 24 mg/kg/day of nicotine using surgically implanted osmotic mini-pumps for 1

SUBMITTER: Jackson AB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7197262 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature