Cigarette Use and Striatal Dopamine D2/3 Receptors: Possible Role in the Link between Smoking and Nicotine Dependence

Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2016 Dec 3;19(11):pyw074. doi: 10.1093/ijnp/pyw074. Print 2016 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking induces dopamine release in the striatum, and smoking- or nicotine-induced ventral striatal dopamine release is correlated with nicotine dependence. Smokers also exhibit lower dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in the dorsal striatum than nonsmokers. Negative correlations of striatal dopamine D2/3 receptor availability with smoking exposure and nicotine dependence, therefore, might be expected but have not been tested.

Methods: Twenty smokers had positron emission tomography scans with [18F]fallypride to measure dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in ventral and dorsal regions of the striatum and provided self-report measures of recent and lifetime smoking and of nicotine dependence.

Results: As reported before, lifetime smoking was correlated with nicotine dependence. New findings were that ventral striatal dopamine D2/3 receptor availability was negatively correlated with recent and lifetime smoking and also with nicotine dependence.

Conclusion: The results suggest an effect of smoking on ventral striatal D2/3 dopamine receptors that may contribute to nicotine dependence.

Keywords: D2 receptors; dopamine; nicotine dependence; positron emission tomography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Basal Ganglia / chemistry*
  • Basal Ganglia / diagnostic imaging
  • Basal Ganglia / physiopathology
  • Benzamides / administration & dosage
  • Cigarette Smoking / metabolism*
  • Cigarette Smoking / physiopathology
  • Contrast Media / administration & dosage
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Imaging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Pyrrolidines / administration & dosage
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / analysis*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D3 / analysis*
  • Smokers* / psychology
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / diagnostic imaging
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / metabolism*
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / physiopathology
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / psychology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Benzamides
  • Contrast Media
  • DRD2 protein, human
  • DRD3 protein, human
  • N-((1-allyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl)-5-(3-fluoropropyl)-2,3-dimethoxybenzamide
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • Receptors, Dopamine D3