Brain metabolic effects of acute nicotine

(-)Nicotine acetylcholine receptors are located on both nerve cell bodies a nd synaptic terminals, are permeable to calcium, and function perhaps predo minantly by facilitating the release of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides . The behavioral rewards from (-)nicotine and perhaps addiction appear to b e related to dopamine release. P-31 NMR analysis reveals subcutaneously adm inistered (-)nicotine produces acute alterations in brain membrane phosphol ipid and high-energy phosphate metabolism of Fischer 344 rats. These metabo lic responses to (-)nicotine could contribute to nicotine's behavioral effe cts.