Nicotine addiction is one of the leading causes of death in contemporary society. The World Health Organization estimates that the number of deaths due to nicotine addiction is around seven million a year, and it is predicted that it will reach eight million by 2030. Although these growing numbers are distressing, scientists at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology at the Rockefeller University have recently had a breakthrough that may stop addiction in its tracks.

Scientists have recently discovered information regarding the neuron that causes nicotine addiction: naming it “Amigo1,” though it is certainly no “amigo” to the body.  After conducting various experiments providing mice nicotine laced water, scientists noticed that this neuron prevented the body’s response to stop addiction. Their results yielded evidence that this neuron released two chemicals that interfered with the communication between the two parts of the brain that work together in addiction prevention: the medial habenula (MHb) and the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN). These two parts of the brain work together to stop the release of dopamine, which is the source of joy and addiction smokers feel from nicotine. The MHb usually responds to doses of nicotine by sending signals to the IPN that decrease the reward of the drug.

“I feel that nicotine addiction is a serious problem among young people today. This early exposure and addiction to nicotine can negatively impact brain development and affect its future use, and cause smoking-related harmful effects.” 

The result of blocked signals to stop release of dopamine is a “pro-addiction” response to nicotine, supported by how the scientists found that the mice ended up choosing to spend time in a chamber where they had previously received nicotine. However, when the function of these neurons was inhibited through a method of genetic engineering, addiction was shown to significantly decrease in the mice. Similar results were found when one of Amigo1’s neurotransmitters was inhibited. Without inhibition, there was correlation between the Amigo1 neurons and decreases in the levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO), an enzyme that helps break down dopamine, and in the number of binding sites of MAO present in the brain, which explains why people develop a tolerance for nicotine, as partially broken down dopamine results in increased levels of this hormone needed to have the same emotional effect.  “I feel that nicotine addiction is a serious problem among young people today. This early exposure and addiction to nicotine can negatively impact brain development and affect its future use, and cause smoking-related harmful effects. I think that continued research will provide new advancements that may rid our world of nicotine addiction,” said Ms. Nikaury Morisset, the substance abuse counselor at Bronx Science.

When interviewed, Bronx Science students were delighted by this discovery. Nelson Zheng ’19 commented, “I think it’s great that the scientists have discovered a neuron that is so directly correlated with nicotine addiction. Smoking has become an everyday sight for many Americans, and I think the severity of the issue has to be brought to light and addressed immediately.”  

In addition, there has been research on acetylcholine regulating how much glutamate is released into the synapse, and at what frequency, as both have an overall correlation with development of nicotine tolerance. Acetylcholine and glutamate are both neurotransmitters that affect signals between cells. Scientists tested eliminating acetylcholine in mice, which had the effect of decreasing the release and uptake of glutamate through cells, consequently affecting neurons’ excitability and normal signaling function. Interfered cell signaling meant that the tested mice  became insensitive and less influenced by the rewards of nicotine and did not develop a nicotine tolerance. Consequently, they did not develop a tolerance to continued nicotine exposure that would have lead to addiction. In addition, these mice did not experience withdrawal symptoms such as body shakes and scratching. “As someone who has a family member who smokes, I know how harsh addiction is and how quitting is easier said than done. Hearing about this information makes me glad that people struggling with addiction can have more options and an opportunity to quit their addiction,” said Josephine Ng ’19.

Overall, the breakthroughs involving research on the Amigo1 neuron prove to be significant in humanity’s fight against nicotine addiction. As more information is discovered, scientists and the general public eagerly await more ideas for solutions.