after termination of chronic nicotine. The preclinical studies support a process of prolonged normalization when we consider that 1-3 weeks is substantial in the life span of a rodent. Additionally, this prolonged normalization of the receptor is in line with the protracted withdrawal symptoms reported by tobacco smokers. For example, while withdrawal symptoms such as anger, anxiety, depression and difficulty concentrating tend to peak within the first week of quitting smoking they continue up to 4 weeks after the quit attempt82. We are currently examining variables that may be associated with the rate of normalization.
