a need to understand the molecular and cellular ramifications of co-administration of nicotine and ethanol due to the high comorbidity of these substances in human addicts. Future studies should aim to unravel the common neural mechanisms shared by these two drugs. This review has touched upon the behavioral outcomes of repeated administration of drugs of abuse, thus suggesting that long-lasting changes in synaptic strength and modification of neurotransmitter release contribute to locomotor sensitization. Both nicotine and ethanol alone clearly induce behavioral sensitization, and cross-sensitization may or may not occur between these two substances. At this time, a large body of literature exists regarding the mechanism of action of nicotine but there is still much to be elucidated pertaining to ethanol's actions at nAChRs for synaptic plasticity and behavioral sensitization.
