Articles tagged with Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Signaling
Marshall University researcher Brandon Henderson has secured a $1.85 million NIH grant to study the impact of synthetic coolants in vaping products on nicotine addiction. The five-year research project will explore how synthetic coolants influence addiction-related behaviors, particularly among adolescents.
New research led by Andrija Sente uncovers the atomic structure of GABA <sub> A </sub> receptors, revealing unique subunit combinations that create previously unrecognized receptor types. These findings highlight the need to account for variations in drug development to avoid unintended binding sites.
A study found that smoking habits interfere with performance on cognitive tasks involving memory and attention, and impairs a person's ability to detect deception. The study revealed two clusters of participants with differing physiological responses to stress, including pupil dilation and heart rate parameters.
A new study published in eNeuro explores the intricate interplay between brain regions involved in nicotine's effects on the human brain. Researchers discovered that the medial habenula experiences fluctuations in activity based on factors such as dosage and sex, highlighting a nuanced relationship.
Researchers found that neonicotinoid chemicals can impair the development of biological motion preference in chicks, similar to autism spectrum disorder in humans. The study suggests that transmission via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors is critical for this process.
Researchers mapped out the brain network responsible for nicotine's negative consequences, opening the door to interventions that boost aversive effects to help people quit smoking. The discovery suggests that manipulating this network could treat nicotine dependence by inducing an acute aversive effect.
Scientists identified a genetic mutation in the CHRNA5 gene as a predisposing factor for COPD, independent of smoking. The mutation affects airway epithelium inflammation and remodeling, leading to symptoms similar to COPD.
UT Southwestern researchers have identified the structure of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor a7 in three different shapes. This breakthrough could lead to new pharmaceutical treatments for schizophrenia, lung cancer, and COVID-19.
UT Southwestern researchers have obtained atomic-scale blueprints of the most abundant class of brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The study's findings suggest new ways to treat nicotine addiction and neurodegeneration by designing drugs that interact with the receptor in different ways.
Scientists at the University of Utah have discovered a compound from the venom of a small Caribbean Sea snail that blocks pain by targeting a distinct pathway not associated with opioid drugs. The benefits of the compound continue even after it has cleared the body, suggesting a potential new therapy for chronic pain.
Recent studies suggest that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in Alzheimer's disease are influenced by direct interactions with proteins such as Lynx, NMDA-receptors, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This new understanding adds complexity to cholinergic signaling in the brain and may lead to the development of targeted drugs.
Research suggests nicotine drives cell invasion contributing to atherosclerosis and plaque formation in coronary arteries. E-cigarettes may not significantly reduce smokers' risk for heart disease, according to Brown University study findings.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry published a series of articles assessing the cys-loop ligand-gated ion channel superfamily, which includes GABA A and glycine receptors. These proteins target neurotransmitters to regulate functions such as muscle contraction, anxiety, and pain.
Scientists have discovered a new binding site on the most common subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which could lead to the development of better medicines for psychiatric disorders. The findings challenge existing scientific ideas and provide a general mechanism that applies across the receptor family.
A University of Southern California study reveals that sugar molecules attached to the surface of the receptor act as a hinge, opening a gate in the cell membrane and transmitting news of nicotine's arrival. The research also identifies a water molecule deep in the receptor's core, which may enable the receptor to alter its shape.
The study aims to determine the window of time when smoking delays bone healing and identify ways to prevent it. Researchers hope to develop treatments that speed up healing in persistent smokers and those with bone injuries.
The Targacept compounds demonstrate a long-lasting effect on cognition by normalizing acetylcholine levels, a key neurotransmitter for cognitive processing. This mechanism of action suggests potential treatment for CNS disorders such as dementia, depression, and pain.
Researchers have discovered a protein, lynx1, that modulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are involved in nicotine addiction and other neurological disorders. Studying lynx1 has provided insights into its potential role as a therapeutic target for treating nicotine addiction.
Researchers discovered that nicotine uses a mechanism responsible for learning and memory to enhance neural connections and induce an enduring memory trace. This finding suggests new targets for drugs designed to block nicotine craving.
A Northwestern University study reveals a biochemical connection between alcoholism and nicotine addiction, suggesting that low concentrations of alcohol may interact with the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The researchers propose that this interaction may contribute to the high correlation between alcoholism and smoking.