<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" width="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">From recent studies, it seems that some forms of inattentive ADD have to do with understimulation of the posterior cortex (and/or temporal lobes) of the brain as opposed to mainly the prefrontal cortex area being understimulated. In response to this, new drugs are being looked into that have to do with stimulation of the Acetylcholine nuerotransmitter rather than the dopamine neurotransmitter. There have been studies showing some beneficial results using Acetylcholine inhibitors like Donepezil (Aricept) and Galantamine (reminyl). The problem with these drugs however, is that they're loaded with peripheral side effects (not to mention that attention/focus brought on by dopamine may be affected in tradeoff to the enhanced sensory awareness/memory that these are supposed to bring on for Alzheimers).
As a result, those looking for a cholinergic stimulation tend to go with Nicotine, which stimulates the Nicotinic receptors in the brain (otherwise known as Acetylcholine receptors). Due to the fact that stimulatory partial nicotine agonists (would be a great substitute for the more toxic nicotine)are still being developed nicotine seems to be the only option.

What's interesting about Nicotine is that it not only effects the parasympathetic nervous system (what Acetylcholine involved in) but also the Sympathetic Nervous System (what Dopamine and Noradrenaline involved in). This raises the question on what the chemical relationship is between Dopamine and Acetylcholine. Does one nuerotransmitter lessen the stimulatory effects of the other?

By the way:
My experience using an aceytlcholinesterase Inhibitor (donepezil) seemed to provide 1 kind of stimulatory effect for cognition (sensory stimulation/memory > attention/focus stimulation) while the basic stimulants such as Ritalin seem to provide another stimulatory effect on cognition (attention/focus > sensory awareness/memory stimulation). The benefits achieved from each class of drug often have a tradeoff. The only drug that seems to bridge this gap is nicotine since stimulation of Acetylcholine receptors somehow causes a release of dopamine.
Why is this?
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<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" width="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">From recent studies, it seems that some forms of inattentive ADD have to do with understimulation of the posterior cortex (and/or temporal lobes) of the brain as opposed to mainly the prefrontal cortex area being understimulated. What recent studies are you referring to? Please provide some links to these studies.





[quote=rd111234;539498]In response to this, new drugs are being looked into that have to do with stimulation of the Acetylcholine nuerotransmitter rather than the dopamine neurotransmitter. What "new drugs" are you referring to? Can you please provide some links to more information concerning these "new drugs?"





There have been studies showing some beneficial results using Acetylcholine inhibitors like Donepezil (Aricept) and Galantamine (reminyl). Beneficial results for what? ADHD? Please provide links to the information concerning the studies showing "some beneficial results" so that we can read exactly what it is you are referring to.





Does one nuerotransmitter lessen the stimulatory effects of the other? Good question.








Acetylcholine receptors somehow causes a release of dopamine.
Why is this?

Once again, another good question.





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- Nicotine alone (i.e. in patch, lozenges, gum, gel) is not especially toxic at the doses one would want to take, and in fact a pubmed search using the terms "nicotine" and "neuroprotection" reveals many studies on nicotine's neuroprotective effects on neural cell cultures, neurons in living animals, life expectancy, and even the onset and time-course of Parkison's disease and (probably) Alzheimer's in humans.

I use patches and lozenges and titrate down to avoid withdrawal syndromes when I want to take time off.

Tobacco smoke is toxic however.

- There are two subtypes of acetylcholine receptors, the nicotinic and the muscarinic (so named for the agonistic action of muscarine from Amanita Muscaria). There's some evidence that they actually somewhat antagonize each other, and much of the nicotine withdrawal symptomology is cholinergic in nature. Muscarinic acetylcholine may play an antagonistic role with dopamine in some parts of the brain, while stimulating the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors causes a downstream release of dopamine and norepinephrine, among other effects.

- Nicotine alone (i.e. in patch, lozenges, gum, gel) is not especially toxic at the doses one would want to take, and in fact a pubmed search using the terms "nicotine" and "neuroprotection" reveals many studies on nicotine's neuroprotective effects on neural cell cultures, neurons in living animals, life expectancy, and even the onset and time-course of Parkison's disease and (probably) Alzheimer's in humans. Very well said. Nicotine gets a bad rap due to all the toxic properties found in tobaco smoke.

In fact, nicotine is non-carcinogenic in its pure form (ie the patch, lozenges, gum, etc.).








Tobacco smoke is toxic however. Amen brother.









- There are two subtypes of acetylcholine receptors, the nicotinic and the muscarinic (so named for the agonistic action of muscarine from Amanita Muscaria). There's some evidence that they actually somewhat antagonize each other, and much of the nicotine withdrawal symptomology is cholinergic in nature. Muscarinic acetylcholine may play an antagonistic role with dopamine in some parts of the brain, while stimulating the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors causes a downstream release of dopamine and norepinephrine, among other effects.
That is very fascinating information. Thanks for sharing that. I never knew that about the connection between muscarinic & nicotine. I love learning new things, especially as it relates to the natural pharmaceuticals on our planet. Thanks again man. ;)

Interesting. Does this explain why nicotine helped suppress (part of) my ADD symptoms?

I think acetylcholine has more to do with ADHD symptoms than some people think.

They should definitely look into making a long lasting pill that combines amphetamines and nicotine

I quit smoking once and I don't want to touch nicotine again.

Well, low doses of nicotine will enhance norepinephrine and dopamine action (it's kinda like a psychostimulant), while high doses will enhance serotonin and opiate (kind of like a painkiller). It's an interesting substance for sure.

My only problem with it is that it's HIGHLY addictive. Like, worse than heroin or cocaine. Just look at how hard it is for smokers to quit.

I'm starting Aricept in a week or so. Does anyone else have experience with this catagory of drug?

Thanks