Acetylcholine in the brain alters neuronal excitability, influences synaptic transmission,
induces synaptic plasticity, and coordinates firing of groups of neurons. As a result, it …

Mood disorders are highly prevalent and are the leading cause of disability worldwide. The
neurobiological mechanisms underlying depression remain poorly understood, although …

Symptoms of depression can be induced in humans through blockade of
acetylcholinesterase (AChE) whereas antidepressant-like effects can be produced in animal …

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand-gated ion channels that are
widely distributed both pre-and post-synaptically in the mammalian brain. By modulating …

Tobacco smoking results in more than five million deaths each year and accounts for∼ 90%
of all deaths from lung cancer. Nicotine, the major reinforcing component of tobacco smoke …

Highlights•ACh boosts attention by enhancing sensory stimuli and decreasing cortico-
cortical communication.•Increased ACh signaling can lead to symptoms of depression in …

Background: Stress is a common reaction to an environmental adversity, but a dysregulation
of the stress response can lead to psychiatric illnesses such as major depressive disorder …

Chronic stress accounts for billions of dollars of economic loss annually in the United States
alone, and is recognized as a major source of disability and mortality worldwide. Robust …

The co-morbidity between smoking and mood disorders is striking. Preclinical and clinical
studies of nicotinic effects on mood, anxiety, aggression, and related behaviors, such as …

Human epidemiological studies have identified links between nicotine intake and stress
disorders, including anxiety, depression and PTSD. Here we review the clinical evidence for …