[Nicotine and caffeine: influence on dopaminergic transmission]

Przegl Lek. 2016;73(10):791-4.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Dopamine plays an important role in the neuronal regulation of motivation / reward, voluntary movements, cognitive processes and the process of addiction. Disorders of the production and release of dopamine can be the base of the pathomechanism of many diseases. Both nicotine and caffeine are psychomotor stimulants. Caffeine, through inhibition of adenosine, increases the activity of the dopaminergic system, and it shows the reinforcing and the psychomotor effect. Nicotine gets its reinforcing and psychostimulant effects from blocking dopamine uptake and increasing synaptic dopamine release. Nicotine and caffeine affect the release of the dopamine. It is believed that the interaction of these substances may be a synergistic effect on pain perception, voluntary movement functions or behavioral traits.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Caffeine / pharmacology*
  • Central Nervous System / drug effects*
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Nicotine / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Caffeine
  • Nicotine
  • Dopamine