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'Addict' hitch for nicotine drugs



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Published Date: 14 July 2008
By John von Radowitz
NICOTINE'S addictive properties are closely tied to its ability to improve memory and learning, new research has shown.
The findings present an obstacle to using the tobacco chemical to treat conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

Previous research has shown nicotine boosts memory and alertness, but nicotine is difficult to administer other than by smoking, and is highly addictive.

Pharmaceutical companies are keen to develop safe nicotine-like substances for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

The new research presented today at FENS 2008, the Forum of European Neuroscience meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, shows why this goal is so elusive.

Scientists led by Professor Ian Stolerman, from the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London, studied the underlying mechanisms behind nicotine's effects on the brain.

Prof Stolerman said:

"The cognitive 'boost' that many smokers experience from nicotine probably contributes to the reason people smoke cigarettes, so it may not be possible to totally prevent addiction.

"Nevertheless, the potential for abuse of a medicine based on a pure nicotine-like substance is likely to be very small."





The full article contains 180 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 13 July 2008 6:40 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Charles Linskaill,

Edinburgh 14/07/2008 08:06:27

Anyone remember (no pun) that advert they used to show in tobacco shop windows, it read,.....

"He who smokes, thinks like a Philosopher"

??

Makes one Wonder.
2

Alternative (High-Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 14/07/2008 10:53:12
How about "Rothmans King Size... When you know what you're doing"

Articles like this go to show what a load of old tosh the rabid antis have been spouting all these years.
3

G,

dundee 14/07/2008 12:53:51
Aye and nicotine is addictive and smoking does not cause cancer....what rubbish we spout!!!
4

Horrible Cankers at the Cyber Shebeen,

14/07/2008 14:02:47
Any chance they could do some chocolate patches?......ones you can eat though.....
5

Caratacus,

West Britain 14/07/2008 15:50:20
Does John McCain know about this?
6

Trond,

Under the smoke ring 14/07/2008 21:52:59
Dog's electric collars are highly effective in teaching dogs to leave sheeps in peace. Dog's electric collars also don't have an addiction side effect like nicotine.

Still I doubt such collars could teach nicotine addicts to quit smoking.
7

Scullion,

Canada 15/07/2008 01:37:34
The boost people get from nicotine is mainly the cessation of withdrawal symptoms that the drug itself caused. This is like saying great pain relief is achieved by stopping banging your head against a wall.

 

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