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Differential Involvement of Glutamatergic Mechanisms in the Cognitive and Subjective Effects of Smoking

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 18:08 authored by A Jackson, J Nesic, C Groombridge, O Clowry, Jennifer Rusted, Dora Duka
There is growing preclinical evidence for the involvement of glutamate in the behavioral actions of nicotine. The aim of this study, was to investigate the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the cognitive and subjective effects of smoking in humans. Sixty regular smokers took part in this double-blind placebo controlled study, that investigated the effect of the NMDA-antagonist memantine (40mg) and the nicotinic-receptor antagonist mecamylamine (10mg) on smoking-induced improvement in performance of a task of sustained attention and on smoking-induced changes in subjective effects and craving. Increases in subjective ratings of `buzzed¿ following smoking were reversed by memantine, but not by mecamylamine. In contrast, improvement on a Rapid Visual Information Processing task by smoking was opposed by mecamylamine, but not by memantine. Smoking reduced craving for cigarettes, but neither drug altered this effect. Our results suggest that glutamatergic mechanisms may have differential involvement in the subjective and cognitive actions of smoking. Further investigations using different ligands are warranted to fully characterize the role of glutamate underlying the consequences of smoking behavior.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Neuropsychopharmacology

ISSN

0893-133X

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group

Issue

2

Volume

34

Page range

257-265

Pages

9.0

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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    University of Sussex (Publications)

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