Baseline expression of α4 β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors predicts motivation to self-administer nicotine

摘要

BackgroundMarked inter-individual differences in vulnerability to nicotine dependence exist, but factors underlying such differences are not well understood. The midbrain α4β2* subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) has been implicated in mediation of the reinforcing effects of nicotine responsible for dependence. However, no study has been performed evaluating the impact of inter-individual differences in midbrain nAChR levels on motivation to self-administer nicotine.