Journal des bioprocédés et des biotechniques

Smoking Related Changes in Neurotransmitters in African Americans

Abstract

Sudhish Mishra, Anita Mandal and Prabir K. Mandal

 Smoking is a most common way of tobacco consumption that provides a pleasurable effect by modulating neurotransmitters in the brain. African Americans (AA) have shown higher susceptibility to nicotine consumption and highest rate of mortality due to cancer. In this study we have examined the levels of 6 neurotransmitters in AA smokers and compared them with nonsmokers of same population. We observed decrease in plasma levels of glutamate and increase in serotonin, epinephrine and dopamine. The level of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) and norepinephrine was not changed significantly. The results, in part, explain the basis of higher nicotine susceptibility in AAs and will be helpful to develop population specific strategies for smoking cessation.