The Role Of Serotonin In Nicotine Abuse And Addiction

The serotonergic (5-HT) system plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of substance use disorder. In recent years the participation of this system, including several receptor subtypes, has been highlighted in preclinical and clinical research also in nicotine use disorder. Nicotine use disorder is a chronic disease that evolves with relapses and is linked to inability to stop cigarette consumption, craving, and dysfunctional emotional responses. In this chapter the contribution of 5-HT neurotransmission and 5-HT receptor subtypes to nicotine behavioral actions as well in the consequences of chronic nicotine exposure on particular 5-HT receptor-assigned functions in laboratory animals will be discussed. Additionally, the human genomic trials on the association between gene polymorphism in the 5-HT pathways and smoking behavior are introduced. Finally, this chapter reviews evidence for novel pharmacotherapies with the 5-HT mechanism of action for smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction from the early stages of clinical trials.