New research says nicotine and cocaine have similar effect on brain

A new study reveals that nicotine's effects on the brain are similar to those caused by cocaine.

The report, which appears in the Journal of Neuroscience, is based on a study of rats. Previous research has shown that nicotine alters the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brain, which is instrumental in the release of dopamine - a neurotransmitter that plays a central role in a person's natural responses to rewards.

Researchers used electrophysiology experiments to examine the effects of nicotine in rats, which were administered a chemical concentration that was equivalent to smoking a single cigarette. They found that nicotine-induced changes in the VTA were dependent on several factors, including the D5 dopamine receptor, which has been previously linked to cocaine use.

Although the physical effects of these two drugs are different, the study's authors concluded that cocaine and nicotine's impact on the brain's reward system mirrored each other. This may explain why both substances are highly addictive.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, adolescents who smoke cigarettes are more likely than nonsmokers to experience behavioral problems in school. Individuals who use tobacco products may benefit from specialized treatment for troubled teens.