The drug has shown results in easing nicotine withdrawal symptoms
of ConsumerAffairsAsk any smoker who has tried to quit and theyll tell you it isnt easy. But a recent study offers a surprising glimmer of hope one that may already be sitting on pharmacy shelves.
A team of researchers in South Korea at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology has discovered that a Parkinsons disease drug may effectively ease the physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, a development that could significantly boost the success rate of smoking cessation.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 22% of the global population smokes, contributing to over 9 million deaths each year. While two prescription drugs Bupropion and Varenicline are currently approved for nicotine withdrawal management, researchers say these treatments dont work for everyone, and relapse remains common.
Brain activity
When a smoker tries to quit, their brain doesnt make it easy. Certain regions become hyperactive, triggering symptoms like tremors and decreased physical activitydistress signals that often send former smokers back to their habit.
Researchers zeroed in on a specific brain circuit that appears to be behind these symptoms: the striatal cholinergic interneurons. In animal studies, the researchers selectively silenced sodium channels in these neurons, dramatically reducing the withdrawal tremors in mice. Using advanced neural imaging and electrode mapping, they confirmed that dampening activity in this region effectively neutralized the abnormal brain signaling triggered by nicotine withdrawal.
An analysis of the results showed something even more compelling. Nicotine withdrawal had slashed dopamine levels in the striatum by more than 20%, a neurotransmitter drop closely tied to physical withdrawal symptoms. But when the cholinergic interneurons were suppressed, dopamine levels bounced back to normal.
Old drug, new purpose
Heres where the study takes a particularly intriguing turn: The researchers found that Procyclidine, a drug currently approved by the FDA to treat Parkinsons disease, mimicked the effects of neural suppression in these interneurons.
In mice, a single low dose of Procyclidine administered before nicotine withdrawal reduced tremors by over 50%. Thats not just a measurable impactits a potentially transformative breakthrough in how nicotine addiction is treated.
What makes this approach especially promising is its speed to market. Because Procyclidine is already approved and well-studied, repurposing it for smoking cessation could slash the time and cost of clinical trials, making the therapy more accessible to smokers who need alternatives, the researchers said.
The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Advanced Science, and the research was supported by Koreas Ministry of Science and ICT and the Food and Drug Safety Research Project.
Sign up below for The Daily Consumer, our newsletter on the latest consumer news, including recalls, scams, lawsuits and more.
Posted: 2025-04-04 14:17:32
