Researchers find link between nicotine addiction ...(hat neurexin-1 and nicotinic receptors t...)

Date:11/17/2008

hat neurexin-1 and nicotinic receptors tangle. So we knew that there was a genetic link to the process leading to synapse formation, and we had nicotinic receptors that had disappeared in the brains of autistic patients. Our finding filled a gap by saying there is a physical and functional association between these two things occurring in the brain."

Neurexin has implications for tobacco addicts, as well, Anand said. Yet another group of researchers recently found that people with a mutation in the neurexin-1 gene were more likely to be smokers, meaning changes in the gene's functions that lead to excess levels of the nicotinic receptors might make people more susceptible to nicotine addiction.

"Our research reveals how changes in the functions of neurexin could affect the guidance of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to their functional destinations in nerve cells, perhaps increasing receptors in tobacco addicts while decreasing them in autistic individuals, thus increasing susceptibility to these devastating neurological disorders," Anand said.

The finding also has implications for nicotine addiction because drugs known to alter neurexin's guidance of nicotinic receptors within nerve cells could be used to suppress tobacco addiction.

'/>"/>

Contact: Rene Anand rene.anand@osumc.edu 614-292-1380 Ohio State University Source:Eurekalert

1 GOOD

Page: 1 2 3
Related biology news :

1. UI researchers help to improve carbon measurements in global climate studies
2. Space researchers developing tool to help disoriented pilots
3. Montana State researchers receive grant to study algae as a source of biofuel
4. Einstein researchers develop a new way to study how breast cancer spreads
5. Queens University Belfast researchers trace octopuses family tree
6. UD researchers show that plants can accumulate nanoparticles in tissues
7. Clemson researchers advance nano-scale electromechanical sensors
8. Damage inflicted during cardiac attacks more widespread, MSU researchers find
9. Battling bacteria in the blood: Researchers tackle deadly infections
10. Researchers use chemical from medicinal plants to fight HIV
11. Yale researchers unravel mystery of brain aneurysms