Smoking Changes Brain Chemistry

The first imaging study was performed by the Radiological Society of North America to monitor the chemical makeup of the brain in chronic smoking after they quit smoking. Proton magnetic spectroscopy was used to image the brain and measure the brains metabolism at the cellular level of smokers two weeks after they quit smoking, and then again after six months. The data obtained was then compared to data from a control group of healthy people. The finding was that the nicotine-dependent patients had much lower concentrations of amino acid NAA in their anterior cingulate cortex. Also, the more that the smokers had smoked in the past, the lower their NAA levels were. These lower NAA levels are indicators of neuronal dysfunction, and low levels can also be found in patients with dementia, schizophrenia, and mood disorders. The choline concentrations were also found to be lower in the brains of smokers. Choline is needed for cell membrane metabolism, and reduced levels can lead to breakdown of the cell membranes.

Another interesting finding was that the creatine levels in the frontal lobe were higher in smokers who did not use the patch while quitting. High creatine levels are generally associated with the use of stimulants.

After the six month check-up, the metabolite concentrations seemed to go back to normal, which is a good finding for people who quit smoking.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=57726