Italian researchers have developed a drug that blocks a dopamine receptor in certain areas of the brain that are associated with tobacco addiction, and thus decreases anxiety when quitting.
Researchers from the Aptuit Center for the Discovery and Development of Drugs, in Verona (Italy), have tested in rats and monkeys a new drug -which is in experimental phase-, with which they have managed to block a series of brain receptors in animals and decrease, as well, nicotine addiction.
It is a compound that acts by blocking a specific type of dopamine receptor in certain areas of the brain associated with the addiction that smokers have to tobacco. Scientists have included the study of this drug - called 'GSK598809' - in a research project in which they use brain imaging controls to analyze the brain mechanisms related to addiction, impulsivity and stress .
Rugby Clear Nicotine Transdermal System Step 2 ~ 14mg ~ 14 patches *Compare to Habitrol *
The drug works by blocking a specific type of dopamine receptor in certain areas of the brain associated with tobacco addiction
Other studies have already shown that the nicotine present in tobacco increases the emission of dopamine in certain regions of the brain, and experts associate this fact with the important addiction that causes the consumption of tobacco, and the anxiety caused by quitting smoking in the habitual smokers.
Dr. Manolo Mugnaini, who has led the research, explains that they have proven in animals and in preliminary studies with humans that the 'GSK598809' is capable of blocking the dopamine D3 receptors in the brain and thus helps to reduce the anxiety that generates the lack of nicotine. Using its method of taking brain images can also be observed the action of the drug in the brain.
According to the authors of the study, whose results have been published in 'Neuropsychopharmacology'-, their discovery could serve to develop an effective drug to help smokers to give up this habit so harmful to health.
E-cigarettes, more effective than other means to quit smoking
A study proves for the first time that electronic cigarettes are almost twice as effective to help quit smoking as standard nicotine replacement products such as patches, chewing gum, pills or inhalers.
Since they began to be commercialized, electronic cigarettes have been surrounded by a great controversy because the experts could not agree on whether they could help to stop smoking or, on the contrary, they were harmful to health and could even favor young people and adolescents will be hooked to the smoking habit through vaping .
Now, new research, led by the Queen Mary University of London (United Kingdom), and funded by the British National Institute of Health Research, which involved 886 middle-aged smokers, shows that e-cigarettes are almost double the number of drugs to help smokers quit smoking, than standard therapy that combines nicotine replacement products (patches, gum, pills, aerosols or inhalers).
Participants in the trial had gone to smoking cessation units of the UK National Health System from different cities, and were randomly assigned to a nicotine replacement treatment chosen by them, or to receive an electronic cigarette starter packet along with one or two bottles of liquid and facilities to acquire more supplies with the preferred flavors. All enjoyed individual behavioral support therapies each week for a minimum of one month, including a carbon monoxide control in the exhaled air.
Increased abstinence in users of electronic cigarettes
The researchers observed that the abstinence rate was higher among users of e-cigarettes (after one year 18% had quit smoking, compared to 9.9% of those who had used other products), and that they were more likely to resort to the product that had been assigned to them at 52 weeks, than those who were treated with nicotine replacement therapy (79.8% versus 9.1%).
The abstinence rate was higher among users of e-cigarettes, which also had the highest decrease in cough and phlegm in week 52
In addition, among those who did not achieve total abstinence, the reduction in tobacco consumption was also higher among electronic cigarette users, who also had the highest decrease in cough and phlegm at week 52.
The study has been published in The New England Journal of Medicine , but according to an accompanying editorial it is necessary to be prudent when interpreting the results because, according to Belinda Borrelli, the author of the same, electronic cigarettes also have risks for health , and doctors should only recommend them to stop smoking when another treatment does not work, and start with the lowest effective dose, monitoring the possible adverse effects and ending its use as soon as possible, as there is not enough data yet to establish guidelines with recommendations on the dose and safety of these products.
Another study links e-cigarettes with more risk of stroke
In addition, despite the findings of the new trial on the potential advantages of e-cigarettes to facilitate smoking cessation, do not forget that some also contain nicotine, and that the best and most healthy is to avoid both traditional tobacco and devices for vaping and, in general, not exposing themselves to any type of drugs or toxic substances.
In fact, another recent study by the American Heart Association - the largest ever conducted to analyze the influence of electronic cigarettes on the chances of suffering a stroke - in which 66,795 people who vaped frequently and 343,856 have participated. had never tried e-cigarettes, has revealed that the use of these products increases the risk of developing a coronary disease (40% more risk), a stroke (71% more risk) or a cardiac infarction or angina pectoris (59% more risk).