Answer:
in the brain, which has been associated with the reduction of neurodegeneration and is involved in several central functions such as voluntary control of movement, memory, attention, sleep or anxiety.
For their study, the scientists used mouse models to investigate the effects of nicotine - in different doses: low, medium and high - on appetite, weight, anxiety and levels of nicotinic receptors in the brain.
The results revealed that rodents who received low and medium doses of nicotine did not present any changes of any kind; On the contrary, those who received high doses showed a reduction in food intake and body weight as well as an increase in nicotinic receptors in the brain, as well as an increase in anxiety.
The researchers plan to carry out more studies to investigate the effects of nicotine against neurodegeneration in elderly mice, as well as determine whether the ability of nicotine to reduce appetite and weight gain explains its possible protective effect against aging of the brain
"In the end we have not shown that this addictive drug is safe - and it certainly is not in any way during childhood or adolescence - but the benefits outweigh the potential risks," explains Ursula Winzer-Serhan, labor leader.