Role of the Neuregulin Signaling Pathway in Nicotine Dependence and Co-morbid Disorders

Miranda L. Fisher, Anu Loukola, Jaakko Kaprio, Jill R. Turner

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Smoking is currently the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and is responsible for over four million deaths annually worldwide. Therefore, there is a vast clinical unmet need with regards to therapeutics targeting smoking cessation. This is even more apparent when examining smokers co-morbid with psychiatric illness, as rates of smoking in this population are ~ 4 × higher than in the general population.Examining common genetic and molecular signaling pathways impinging upon both smoking behavior and psychiatric illness will lead to a better understanding of co-morbid disorders and potential development of novel therapeutics. Studies have implicated the Neuregulin Signaling Pathway in the pathophysiology of a number of psychiatric illnesses. Additionally, recent studies have also shown an association between the Neuregulin Signaling Pathway and smoking behaviors. This review outlines basic mechanisms of the Neuregulin Signaling Pathway and how it may be exploited for precision medicine approaches in treating nicotine dependence and mental illness.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNicotine Use in Mental Illness and Neurological Disorders, 2015
EditorsMariella De Biasi
Pages113-131
Number of pages19
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Publication series

NameInternational Review of Neurobiology
Volume124
ISSN (Print)0074-7742
ISSN (Electronic)2162-5514

Keywords

  • Depression
  • ErbB4
  • NRG1
  • NRG3
  • Nicotine dependence
  • SNPs
  • Schizophrenia
  • Smoking cessation
  • Withdrawal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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