Nicotine : Pharmacology and therapeutic implications in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders

Abstract

The pathophysiology of tobacco-related diseases is complex and multifactorial. Among the various compounds in tobacco smoke are carcinogens such as nitrosamines, irritants such as a variety of phenolic compounds, volatiles such as carbon monoxide, and of course nicotine. Nicotine itself has quite complex actions, mediated in part by nicotinic cholinergic receptors that may have extraneuronal, as well as neuronal distribution. Its actions have also been implicated in a variety of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. This short review discusses the recent pharmacology of nicotine and recent progress on its possible therapeutic benefits.