The anandamide transport inhibitor AM404 reduces the rewarding effects of nicotine and nicotine-induced dopamine elevations in the nucleus accumbens shell in rats.

SCHERMA, MARIA;Justinová Z;Zanettini C;Panlilio LV;Mascia P;FADDA, PAOLA;FRATTA, WALTER;Makriyannis A;Vadivel SK;Gamaleddin I;Le Foll B;Goldberg SR

2012-01-01

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Abstract

The fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 can reverse the abuse-related behavioural and neurochemical effects of nicotine in rats. Fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors block the degradation (and thereby magnify and prolong the actions) of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA), and also the non-cannabinoid fatty acid ethanolamides oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). OEA and PEA are endogenous ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha (PPAR-alpha). Since recent evidence indicates that PPAR-alpha can modulate nicotine reward, it is unclear whether AEA plays a role in the effects of URB597 on nicotine reward.