Arzneimittelforschung 2010; 60(9): 527-543
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1296322
Review
Editio Cantor Verlag Aulendorf (Germany)

Interactions of nicotine and drugs used in the treatment of mental illnesses with respect to cognitive functions

Kinga Burda
Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, (Poland)
,
Anna Czubak
Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, (Poland)
,
Elżbieta Nowakowska
Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, (Poland)
,
Krzysztof Kus
Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, (Poland)
,
Jana Metelska
Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, (Poland)
,
Anna Nowakowska
Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, (Poland)
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Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
03. Dezember 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Cognitive disorders in the course of mental illnesses are one of the most important and most difficult therapeutic problems related to those illnesses and the regard attention, memory, learning and sensory modulation. The limited number of nicotinic receptors (subtype 7 and α4β2) seems to cause the incidence and exacerbation of cognitive deficits in such patients. In patients with schizophrenia, the impairment of cognitive processes i also a side-effect of neuroleptics. The characteristics and intensity of the negative effect of antipsychotics on cognitive functions depends on the pharmacological action of those drugs and on the effect on dopamine and serotoninergic receptors in particular.

Cognitive function deficits observed in various mental illnesses can be modified with the use of nicotine. A cholinergic neurotransmission system is a common transmission system in the central nervous system. The effect of nicotine on other neurotransmission systems – the dopaminergic and glutaminergic system – seems to be significant for their efficacious cognitive effects in combination with antipsychotic drugs. Nicotine ma also alleviate symptoms of depression, a it amplifies serotoninergic and noradren-ergic neuronal activity.

When studies on treating cognitive disorders with nicotine are carried out, nicotine’s interactions with other drug used in therapy of those disorders must be taken into account as well as the effect of this substance on neurotransmission systems.