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Nicotine as therapeutic agent in treatment of mood disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

N. Petros
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, 5th Department of Acute Admissions, Athens, Greece
D. Maria
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, 5th Department of Acute Admissions, Athens, Greece
P. Dimitris
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, 5th Department of Acute Admissions, Athens, Greece
G.G. Angelica
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, 5th Department of Acute Admissions, Athens, Greece
K. Dimitra
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, 5th Department of Acute Admissions, Athens, Greece
T. Charalampos
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, 5th Department of Acute Admissions, Athens, Greece

Abstract

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Introduction

The plant that has as active ingredient nicotine was chewed or smoked for many years from American natives, for its therapeutic properties. Nowadays after the extensive negative attitude towards smoking, the main provider of nicotine, researchers are now pointing out the therapeutic possibilities of nicotine in mood disorders, as a substance that is acting in the acetylcholine receptors in the brain.

Aims

In this review we are trying to explore the possibilities of nicotine use as a therapeutic agent.

Methods

We did a detailed research of the main medical databases, and web search engines for relevant studies. We scrutinize them independently, before reaching consensus about appropriateness for inclusion in the study.

Results

Diadermal administration of nicotine has a positive effect in depressive disorder in 3–8 days, an effect that in one study was reversed after cessation of nicotine. Patients with depression and/or healthy subjects show improvement of attention and working memory after diadermal use of nicotine. Research is not conclusive in the sustainability of these positive affects as other researchers emphasize their short effect in mood.

Conclusion

Nicotine presents as part of novel and promising therapeutic agents with complex interactions with other neurotransmitters in the brain. Before condemning nicotine along with smoking we should acknowledge the potential use of nicotine as a therapeutic compound since research shows that some of these positive effects appear not only to smokers after abstinence but also to non-smokers.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
EV1052
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2016
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