Thus, it appears that GABA receptors play a role in the development of both alcohol and nicotine dependence. It is known that GABA modulates the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse; accordingly, nicotine appears to enhance the rewarding effects of other drugs by interfering with GABA-mediated inhibition of such signals. Consistent with this hypothesis, animal studies suggest that the GABAB receptor is a potential target for pharmacological treatment of nicotine dependence as well as dependence on other drugs (Cousins et al. 2002). However, the exact role of the GABA receptors in the development of dependence appears to differ for alcohol and nicotine. Whereas alcohol acts directly on the GABAA receptor, the effect of nicotine on GABAB function appears to be indirect.
