(Left) Nicotine withdrawal reduces nicotinic receptor activity, leading to a relative increase in muscarinic receptor activity and disrupting acetylcholine signaling balance.
(Right) Suppressing striatal cholinergic interneurons or administering the muscarinic antagonist Procyclidine reduces acetylcholine release or inhibits muscarinic receptors. This action restores the balance of acetylcholine signaling by reducing the excessive muscarinic receptor activity.
Overcoming nicotine withdrawal: Clues found in neural mechanisms of the brain
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 22% of the global population smokes, with more than 9 million smoking-related deaths reported annually. Effective treatments to alleviate nicotine withdrawal symptoms…