Role of ventral striatal dopamine D1 receptor in cigarette craving

Background: Several theories of cigarette craving suggest that dopaminergic function in the ventral striatum plays an important role. The objective of this study was to determine correlations between craving-related brain activation and dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) binding in smokers. Methods: Twelve smokers and 12 nonsmoking controls underwent [O-15]H2O-positron emission tomography activation study and DIR-binding study using [C-11]SCH 23390, and the correlations between receptor binding and cue-induced regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes were assessed. Consecutive D1 R-binding changes were examined during a period of 6 months of postsmoking abstinence in five smokers. Results: Cue-induced activation was observed in the left ventral striatum including the nucleus accumbens in smokers. DI R binding in the ventral striatum showed a negative relationship with cue-induced craving and rCBF changes. DI R binding was significantly low in smokers, and there was a trend of increase after smoking abstinence. Conclusions: DIR binding and cue-induced rCBF changes in the ventral striatum suggest the important role of DIR in this region in cigarette craving.