The Role of α6 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors on Dopamine Release

Authors

Michaela Squire, Brigham Young University
Dr. Scott Steffensen, Brigham Young University

Keywords

role of a6, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, dopamine release

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

With today’s society’s alcohol abuse, there has been a large economic burden of several hundred billion dollars annually. In addition, 80% of those who are dependent on alcohol are also smokers, and the use of nicotine has remained relatively high in those who use alcohol, displaying the co-dependence of nicotine and alcohol. Due to the high percentage of apparent co-dependence of nicotine and ethanol (EtOH), it has been theorized that the addictive nature of these drugs may act through similar mechanisms, specifically through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on presynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons. The purpose of this project was to evaluate this possible involvement of the α6 subunits of the nAChRs on modulating the inhibitory effects of EtOH through dopamine (DA) release from GABAergic neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAc).

Recommended Citation

Squire, Michaela and Steffensen, Dr. Scott (2015) "The Role of α6 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors on Dopamine Release," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2015: Iss. 1, Article 57.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2015/iss1/57