Tobacco Documents Online

THE COUNCIL FOR TOBACCO RESEARCH-IT.S.A., INC. 900 17[IRI) AVENUE NEW YORK. N. Y. 10022 Memorandum To: Dr. J.F.Glenn and Staff From: D.H.Ford Re: Site visit with Dr. T;. VickrQy, University of Florida at Gainesville, FL, Feb.21, 1990. Grant No. 2690 entitled."Neuropharmacological investigations of nicotine interactions with the CNS cholinergic and meso- limbic dopaminergic neurons." Goals: 1. To determine the characteristics of CNS nicotinic autoreceptors which facilitate ACh release as well as heteroceptors which regulate mesolimbic DA release. 2. To determine if the effects of nicotine of ACh and DA release and synthesis can be measured in vivo. 3. To determine the effects of nicotinic agonists of ACh and DA neuronal function following chronic exposure to nicotine. Comment: Inasmuch as this program support of Dr. Vickroy only started in January, little or no progress has as yet been made which is reportable. This is in part due to the fact that he has not as yet found an appropriate technical employee. Dr. Vickroy is a young enthusiastic individual who appears to have a clear understanding of the detailed pharmacologic studies to be undertaken, as well as.of the technical and final interpretive difficulties. While it is far too early to evaluate this program, the fact that he in a good research environment with excellent facilities should enhance his likelihood of success. His project is an interesting one,since it is already becoming evident from other reported data that there are several types of nACh receptors in a variety of CNS locations and that the pharma- cological response to nicotine in relation to release and metabolism of transmitter varies with the location. However, how this may relate in relation to different forms of the nACh receptor has yet to be determined. Thus, it will be of considerable interest to follow the progress of this study. I met briefly with a Dr. Creuze in a neighboring laboratory.while visiting with Dr. Vickroy. Dr. Creuze is measuring the electrophysio- logical responses of hippocampal pyramidal neurons in different sites in the hippocampus in response to nicotine and noting that there are site specific differences in res.ponse.Since there are many nACh receiptors in the hippocampus receiving inputs from a variety of CNS loci, one might wonder first if the differences in response are due to a difference in amino acid sequence of the nAChR alpha peptide, whether one is dealing with autoreceptors or heteroceptors, or whether the receptor is pre or postsynaptic...or all three. Some of what Dr. Creuze is undertaking may relate to what Dr. Vickroy is concerned with, so there may.be an interaction between them. Further, Dr. Creuze may approach CTR with a letter of inquiry. DHF