The neurobiology of the nicotine dependency

Nicotine dependency represents a classical model of addiction. Sensitisation of central reinforcing systems, conditioning mechanisms as a form of associative learning and habit-learning contribute to the development and the maintenance of nicotine addiction. The mesolimbic dopaminergic reinforcing system, the central up regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and in part the endogenous opioid system, the glutamatergic and the serotonergic system ore involved in the neurobiological action of nicotine. These different actions also explain the high relapse rates of nicotine quitters.