Adolescent smoking can lead to depression

Young smokers may wear depression later, according to a new study from Florida State University.

Professor of psychology Carlos Bolanos and a group of researchers found that adolescent mice using nicotine will experience depression, illustrated by lack of interest and pressure sensitivity. force when growing up. The findings show that the same thing can happen to people.

Bolanos said: 'This study is very special because it is the first study to show that early exposure to nicotine in life can result in long-term physiological consequences such as mood disorders. In addition, the study shows that even short-term exposure to nicotine increases the risk of developing this disorder as an adult. '

Researchers at Florida State University have injected nicotine twice a day into adolescent mice for 15 days. They then performed a number of experiments on these mice to understand their reaction to pressure situations, as well as their reactions to rewards.

They found that behavioral changes are symptoms of depression that can occur after a week of cessation of nicotine use and - most surprising - even just a day of adolescent nicotine exposure have a long-term impact.

Bolanos said: 'Some of the animals in our study were exposed to nicotine only once. It was surprising that we found that only one day of exposure to nicotine could have lasting effects. '

Carlos A. Bolaños. (Photo: Florida State University).

The mice exposed to nicotine had expressions of depression and anxiety, including repeated self-grooming, reduced consumption of rewards in the form of sugar and unresponsive in pressure situations. force instead of running away. Researchers reduced the symptoms of mice with antidepressants or nicotine itself.

Interestingly, adult mice exposed to nicotine levels similar to adolescents do not have such depressive characteristics. It is still not known exactly how nicotine activity in the brain and nervous system leads to these effects, but exposure to nicotine has harmful consequences in some areas of the brain and nervous system at developmental stages. individual.

Because the neurotransmitters in the brain continue to develop during adolescence, the researchers theorized that nicotine may adversely affect these systems, leading to changes in their function when grown up. city. The findings of the study underscore the need for more extensive research on the formation of this process.

Scientists have long known about the relationship between smoking and mood disorders, but they still cannot know the details because there are so many factors affecting human behavior. This study provides evidence for the idea that smoking can cause depressive symptoms, and paradoxically, can also be a way to control those symptoms and increase the risk of addiction.

Bolanos said: 'The message for those young people is to never smoke and never try. If smoked, they need to know the long-term effects that smoking can cause. '

The study was funded by the Florida's James and Esther King Biomedical Research Programs and the National Institute of Drug Abuse Research. In addition, Iniguez has a McKnight scholarship from the Florida Educational Foundation and a neuroscience scholarship from Florida State University.

Refer:
Iñiguez et al.Nicotine Exposure During Adolescence Induces a Depression-Like State in Adulthood.Neuropsychopharmacology, 2008;DOI: 10.1038 / npp.2008.220