Nicotine Receptors Regulate Activity of Hypocretin Neurons

[marina_picciotto]

The primary component of tobacco driving addiction is nicotine. Nicotine exerts its effects through a class of membrane proteins throughout the brain and body called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These receptors are normally activated by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, but are hijacked by the nicotine in tobacco.

Link back to full article