Nicotine is a health nightmare in terms of tobacco addiction but could become an important new drug in controlling the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
Research has shown that the loss of mental capacity seen in both these diseases can be reduced through the administration of nicotine. Dr Paul Sanberg, professor of psychiatry at the University of South Florida, was quick to point out, however, that the researchers were only interested in the use of nicotine patches or gum to deliver the drug and were opposed to smoking.
"We do not promote smoking and we won't be talking about tobacco and cigarettes per se," he said at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Prof Sanberg has completed a study of a combined treatment including nicotine to control Tourette's syndrome. "It is really a terrible disorder for children," he said, which causes distressing symptoms including rage, ticks and aggressive behaviour. It is treated with neuropsychiatric drugs, but the research team found that when nicotine was included there was better control of symptoms.
Its use in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients was described by Prof Paul Newhouse of the University of Vermont College of Medicine. It had been noted some years ago that Parkinson's, which leads to impaired motor and cognitive skills, was less prevalent amongst smokers.
The team used nicotine patches on small groups of Parkinson's patients, and the initial results seemed promising. "We have got some preliminary evidence that we can get some enhanced effect with nicotine."
Similar studies with Alzheimer's patients had also shown some limited cognitive improvement, but much larger studies would be needed to prove the connection. Nicotine, he added, was a "double-edged sword".
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