New research in mice sheds light on the mechanism underlining exercise’s protective effect against nicotine dependence and withdrawal.
New research in mice sheds light on the mechanism underlining exercise’s protective effect against nicotine dependence and withdrawal.
The British Journal of Pharmacology study reveals that exercise during nicotine exposure markedly reduces the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms, an effect that is accompanied by increased activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (which are targets of nicotine) in the hippocampal region of the brain.
“The findings support the protective effect of exercise preceding smoking cessation against the development of physical dependence, which may aid smoking cessation by reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms,” said senior author Dr. Alexis Bailey, of St. George’s University of London.
Additional Information
Link to Study: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.14068/full
About Journal
The British Journal of Pharmacology is a broad-based journal giving leading international coverage of all aspects of experimental pharmacology. It publishes high quality original research and authoritative reviews. Each year a range of themed issues are published and a must-read supplement, the Concise Guide to Pharmacology, is published biennially.
The journal is now published in an online-only format. Issues are published fortnightly but are no longer printed; however, authors are still able to order offprints of their own articles through Author Services.
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