Teen Smoking Linked to Adult Depression
Nicotine Exposure on Adolescent Brain Causes Depressive Symptoms
Teenagers continue to take up smoking, in spite of the long known health hazards for long term heath, such as risk of cancer and heart disease. New research suggests a new motivation to avoid smoking, the link between teen smoking and depression later in life.
Scientists have known for a long time that there is a connection between mood disorders and smoking, but have not been able to state definitely that one causes the other because there are so many factors at play.
Smoking is an addictive habit that can have long reaching negative effects on health, including mental health. A new study by the Florida State University showed that teenagers who smoke could be setting themselves up for depression that can last a lifetime.
A groundbreaking study conducted by Psychology Professor Carlos Bolanos and a team of researchers conducted a study on adolescent rats that was published online in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.
Adolescent Nicotine Intake Induces Depression
The study found that giving adolescent rats nicotine induced a depression-like state characterized by a lack of pleasure and heightened sensitivity to stress in their adult lives. The depressive symptoms lasted into their adult lives. The findings suggest that the same may be true for humans.
Professor Bolanos was quoted in a press release posted on EurekAlert on January 29, 2009. Bolanos stated,"This study is unique because it is the first one to show that nicotine exposure early in life can have long-term neurobiological consequences evidenced in mood disorders. In addition, the study indicates that even brief exposure to nicotine in the teen years increases risk for mood disorders later in life."
Researchers injected adolescent rats with a solution of either nicotine or saline for 15 days. After that period the rats were subjected to situations that were stressful or rewarding to see how they would react.
According to their findings, behavioral changes that were symptoms of depression can emerge one week after the exposure to nicotine ceases. Surprisingly, even a single day of exposure to nicotine exposure can have negative effects that last a long time.
"Some of the animals in our study were exposed to nicotine once and never saw the drug again," Bolanos stated in a press release on EurekAlert, dated January 29, 2009, "It was surprising to us to discover that a single day of nicotine exposure could potentially have such long-term negative consequences."
Symptoms of depression and anxiety that the rats exhibited included:
- Repetitive grooming
- Decreased consumption of sugary drinks offer as rewards
- Becoming immobile in stressful situations instead of engaging in typical escape-like behaviors
The symptoms of depression were alleviated by antidepressant drugs or, ironically, more nicotine.
Adult rodents did not have the same depressive symptoms as the adolescent rats from the same exposure to nicotine.
Researcher Theories
How nicotine works on the brain and nervous system to cause these effects is not known. Research has shown that exposure to nicotine has toxic effects on several regions of the brain and neurotransmitter systems during periods of development. The teen brain is still developing and is therefore more vulnerable to the effects of toxic substances, such as smoking, than the adult brain.
Researchers theorize that the negative influence on the adolescent brain may be because the neurotransmitter systems in the brain are still developing. Nicotine intake in the teen years may result in altered brain function later in life.
The study's findings underscore the need for further research into how this process occurs. It would be important to learn the effects of second and third hand smoking by parents and others in a household exposure could have on children.
Caution to Avoid Smoking
"The message to young people of course is don't smoke and don't even try it," Bolanos stated in a press release posted on EurekAlert, dated January 29, 2009, "If they do smoke, they need to be aware of the potentially long-term effects that recreational or even occasional cigarette smoking can have on their systems."
During the teen years the brain is still developing. Even a small exposure to cigarette smoke can cause depression that may plague them for a lifetime. Depression is a condition that can have a serious negative effect upon the quality of life. Teens should be educated about the impact the smoking could have on their future mental health.
Resources
Neuropsycholpharmacology article dated December 17, 2008: Teen smoking could lead to adult depression, study says. press release on EurekAlert January 29, 2009.
Related Articles
- Teens on Social Networking Sites Risky Behavior
- Tell Teens About Alcohol's Effects on Brain
- TV Viewing Teens Leads to Long Term Poor Diet
Blue Smoking
|
More in Partners & Parents
Latest Articles