Neuronal nicotinic receptors (NNRs) are a class of proteins in the nervous system that modulate the levels of key chemical messengers, such as dopamine. Nicotine’s addictive effects have been linked to over-stimulation of dopamine release in brain regions involved in feelings of reward and pleasure.
Donald deBethizy, president and CEO of Targacept, said: “Emerging science has made the promise of NNR-targeted compounds as smoking cessation aids increasingly evident. It is important for a smoking cessation aid to specifically target the areas of the brain that serve as pathways for addiction, while addressing limitations of currently available products by minimizing unwanted side effects.”