- In humans nicotine withdrawal after heavy smoking produces increased anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating that peaks 1-3 days after smoking cessation and can last 7-30 days before returning to normal. Nicotine withdrawal also increases the startle response to an anxiety inducing threat. In rats nicotine withdrawal produces an increase in the intracranial self stimulation (ICSS) reward threshold that can last for over 4 days, and there is increased CRF release into the central nucleus of the amydala and anxiety-like behavior during withdrawal. A CRF antagonist blocks the anixogenic effects of withdrawal and delivery of a CRF antagonist into the cerebral ventricles reduces the elevated ICSS. Thus the CRF system plays an important role in symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
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- Nicotine withdrawal increases the startle response in humans.
Nicotine Withdrawal and Startle
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Nicotine withdrawal reduces brain reward function which can be reversed with a CRF antagonist
Nicotine Withdrawal and Reduced Brain Reward Function
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Antagonism of nicotine increases CRF in the amygdala and anxiety behavior which is blocked by a CRF antagonist. Stopping nicotine self administration increases nicotine seeking which is also blocked by a CRF antagonist.
A CRF Antagonist Blocks Nicotine Withdrawal Induced Anxiety and Nicotine Seeking
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