Role of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in cannabinoid dependence

• DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106746
• Publication Date: 2023-03-29T16:03:54Z
• Authors: Belle Buzzi; Eda Koseli; Lauren Moncayo; Mohammed Shoaib; M Imad Damaj
• Keywords: Varenicline; Effects of cannabis; Bupropion

Cannabis is among the most widely consumed psychoactive drugs around world and cannabis use disorder (CUD) has no current approved pharmacological treatment. Nicotine are commonly co-used which suggests there to be overlapping neurobiological actions supported primarily by co-distribution of both receptor systems in brain. There appears strong rationale explore role that nicotinic receptors play cannabinoid dependence. Preclinical studies suggest ɑ7 nAChR subtype may a modulating reinforcing discriminative stimulus effects cannabinoids, while ɑ4β2 * involved motor sedative cannabinoids. human genetic point towards potential ɑ5, ɑ3, β4 subunits CUD, GWAS strongly implicate ɑ2 subunit as playing CUD susceptibility. Clinical smoking cessation agents, such varenicline bupropion, also beneficial treating although more controlled necessary. Additional behavioral, molecular, mechanistic investigating modulation cannabinoids needed.