'Smoking vaccine' blocks nicotine in mice brains

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18608666


Researchers believe vaccines may one day help people if they choose to quit.


Smokers could one day be immunised against nicotine so they gain no pleasure from the habit, according to researchers in the US.

They have devised a vaccine that floods the body with an antibody to assault nicotine entering the body.

A study in mice, published in Science Translational Medicine, showed levels of the chemical in the brain were reduced by 85% after vaccination.

Years of research are still needed before it could be tested on people.

[bemildred]

1. They better watch out for side-effects.

You could be blocking more than just one thing, nicotine is a very potent drug.

[Warpy]

2. Apparently the antibodies target nicotine, itself

Nicotine acts on smooth muscle, causing arteries to clamp down. Very close study will be needed to see if the antibodies also interfere with the renin/angiotensin system.

Quitting smoking won't do much good if it puts your blood pressure in the toilet.

Still, it's an interesting line of research. I just hope they look beyond the brain.

[bemildred]

3. Yep, that's it.

Lots of potential for both good and ill.

[LeftishBrit]

4. Interesting, but not clear whether this will apply to humans

Mice differ from people in many ways: they have less complicated brains; obviously they don't smoke(!); and do not experience all the social and psychological, as well as physical, factors involved in human addictions.

Moreover, blocking nicotine could be associated with all sorts of unwanted biochemical effects. The side effects of the treatment might well be worse than those of smoking.