Interaction of corticosterone and nicotine in regulation of prepulse inhibition in mice

Binding studies showed that corticosterone treatment had significantly affected nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) density in the mouse brain. Treatment with 50 mg CORT decreased 125I-epibatidine binding in the globus pallidus and 125I-α-bungarotoxin binding in the claustrum. These results suggest a possible interaction of corticosterone and nicotine at the level of the α4- and α7-type nAChR in the regulation of PPI. In situations of high circulating levels of corticosterone, nicotine may be beneficial to restore disruption of PPI.