Central Nervous System and Neuropsychopharmacology - Essay Example

The issue is highly related to the cranial nerves of humans, which consist of twelve pairs in which two pairs of nerves emerge directly from the cerebrum while the ten pairs go out from the brain stem. The cranial nerves form part of the central nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal column.

In this connection, an interesting and pioneering study showed that fibrate medications intended to lower lipid levels have an unusual but beneficial effect on nicotine addiction. It is considered a happy discovery, similar to the discovery of Viagra which was initially intended to cure some heart ailments but was found to be effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The study mentioned above pertains to clofibrate (a representative of the fibrate class) which is widely prescribed to improve lipid profiles and help prevent some cardiovascular diseases.

However, the study authors found out these experimental drugs can reduce the rewarding effects of nicotine on animals by preventing the acquisition of nicotine-taking behavior from naïve laboratory animals (rats and squirrel monkeys), substantially decreasing nicotine-taking inexperienced animals and counteracting the relapse-inducing effects of re-exposure to nicotine (Panlilio et al., 2012, p. 1). In other words, clofibrate blocked the effects of nicotine on the central nervous system, but more specifically on the ventral tegmental area and in the release of dopamine (ibid.). Read More