Featured Publications
Pharmacological modulation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in a mouse model of mecamylamine-precipitated nicotine withdrawal
Jackson A, Papke RL, Damaj MI. Pharmacological modulation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in a mouse model of mecamylamine-precipitated nicotine withdrawal. Psychopharmacology 2018, 235: 1897-1905. PMID: 29549391, PMCID: PMC6015775, DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4879-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositive allosteric modulatorsΑ7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptorMecamylamine-precipitated nicotine withdrawalNicotine withdrawal behaviorsNicotine withdrawalNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsSomatic signsPharmacological modulationNon-selective nAChR antagonist mecamylamineAcetylcholine receptorsNicotine withdrawal-induced hyperalgesiaWithdrawal-induced hyperalgesiaDose-related fashionNicotine withdrawal signsNAChR antagonist mecamylamineAnxiety-like behaviorAntagonist mecamylamineWithdrawal signsPreclinical dataNicotine rewardΑ7 nAChRsAgonist PNU282987Mouse modelWithdrawal behaviorAllosteric modulators
2019
The β3 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is required for nicotine withdrawal-induced affective but not physical signs or nicotine reward in mice
Jackson AB, Toma W, Contreras KM, Alkhlaif Y, Damaj MI. The β3 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is required for nicotine withdrawal-induced affective but not physical signs or nicotine reward in mice. Pharmacology Biochemistry And Behavior 2019, 183: 1-5. PMID: 31145916, PMCID: PMC7197262, DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.05.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNicotine withdrawal signsWithdrawal signsNicotine rewardNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsWT miceNicotine dependenceAcetylcholine receptorsNicotine dependence behaviorsNicotine-dependent miceAffective nicotine withdrawal signsΒ3 subunitTobacco use disorderNicotine-induced CPPSimilar somatic symptomsPlace preference testNew molecular targetsAffective withdrawal signsAddictive componentSpontaneous withdrawalWithdrawal studyKO miceFemale miceHealth burdenPhysical signsUse disorders
2018
New insights on the effects of varenicline on nicotine reward, withdrawal and hyperalgesia in mice
Bagdas D, Alkhlaif Y, Jackson A, Carroll FI, Ditre JW, Damaj MI. New insights on the effects of varenicline on nicotine reward, withdrawal and hyperalgesia in mice. Neuropharmacology 2018, 138: 72-79. PMID: 29860196, PMCID: PMC6054891, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.05.025.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEffects of vareniclineNicotine withdrawal signsNicotine rewardΑ5 nAChRWithdrawal signsHigh doseKnockout miceΒ2-nAChRsNicotine withdrawal-induced hyperalgesiaAdministration of vareniclineWithdrawal-induced hyperalgesiaΑ7 knockout miceDose-related mannerNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsΑ5 knockout micePlace preference testVarenicline doseCessation treatmentNicotine withdrawalSomatic signsVareniclineΑ7 nAChRsMouse modelCPP testNicotinic subtypes
2017
Reversal of Nicotine Withdrawal Signs Through Positive Allosteric Modulation of α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Male Mice
Hamouda AK, Jackson A, Bagdas D, Damaj M. Reversal of Nicotine Withdrawal Signs Through Positive Allosteric Modulation of α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Male Mice. Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2017, 20: 903-907. PMID: 29059422, PMCID: PMC5991208, DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntx183.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNicotine withdrawal symptomsSpontaneous nicotine withdrawalNicotine withdrawal signsNicotine withdrawalWithdrawal symptomsPositive allosteric modulatorsCessation aidWithdrawal signsMale miceMouse modelAllosteric modulatorsNicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonistNAChR-positive allosteric modulatorsAcetylcholine receptor agonistDose-dependent reversalICR male miceΑ4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptorsPositive allosteric modulationAnxiety-like behaviorNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsPotential clinical useAcute injectionRelapse rateTobacco smokingDay infusion
2015
N-acetylcysteine decreased nicotine reward-like properties and withdrawal in mice
Bowers M, Jackson A, Maldoon P, Damaj M. N-acetylcysteine decreased nicotine reward-like properties and withdrawal in mice. Psychopharmacology 2015, 233: 995-1003. PMID: 26676982, PMCID: PMC4819399, DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4179-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnxiety-like behaviorN-acetylcysteineContinuous nicotineNicotine place conditioningSaline-treated miceNicotine-treated miceMale ICR miceSomatic withdrawal signsHigh clinical utilityPlace aversion paradigmPlace preference paradigmReward-like propertiesN-acetylcysteine pretreatmentSpontaneous withdrawalExtrasynaptic glutamateWithdrawal signsICR miceNicotine rewardSmoking ratesSomatic signsClinical utilityNicotine dependenceFood CPPNicotine CPPObjectivesThe aimEffects of Menthol on Nicotine Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacology and Dependence in Mice
Alsharari SD, King JR, Nordman JC, Muldoon PP, Jackson A, Zhu AZ, Tyndale RF, Kabbani N, Damaj MI. Effects of Menthol on Nicotine Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacology and Dependence in Mice. PLOS ONE 2015, 10: e0137070. PMID: 26355604, PMCID: PMC4565647, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137070.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNicotine pharmacokineticsSubunit expressionBrain regionsAcute pharmacological effectsNicotine-induced antinociceptionNicotine plasma levelsMale ICR miceStriatum of miceEffect of mentholSignificant increaseAddition of mentholAdministration of mentholWestern blot analysisChronic injectionsWithdrawal signsBrain levelsICR miceNicotine cigarettesPlasma levelsSystemic administrationNicotine clearanceNicotinic receptorsPharmacological effectsNicotinic subunitsCommon flavoringEffects of orally-bioavailable short-acting kappa opioid receptor-selective antagonist LY2456302 on nicotine withdrawal in mice
Jackson KJ, Jackson A, Carroll FI, Damaj MI. Effects of orally-bioavailable short-acting kappa opioid receptor-selective antagonist LY2456302 on nicotine withdrawal in mice. Neuropharmacology 2015, 97: 270-274. PMID: 26044637, PMCID: PMC4537361, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.05.023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNicotine withdrawal syndromeWithdrawal syndromeKOR antagonistsAnxiety-related behaviorNicotine withdrawalSomatic signsKappa Opioid Receptor SignalingSelective KOR antagonistAffective nicotine withdrawal signsNicotine withdrawal signsOpioid receptor signalingUseful therapeutic agentShort actingHotplate latencyWithdrawal signsPharmacodynamic profileClinical studiesMood disordersLY2456302Animal modelsPlace aversionDrug dependenceTherapeutic potentialDecreased expressionAntagonist