In vitro evidence supporting the therapeutic role of nicotine against neurodegeneration.

This review supports the necessity of combining fundamental chemical and biological methods to scrutinize potential causative agents in neurodegeneration. This is supported by recent experimental evidence in relation to the use of nicotine as a potential therapeutic agent, especially when following the path of iron's role in catalysing the generation of reactive oxygen species via a Fenton like reaction. Exploration of the dose-response relationship indicates that acute administration offers the most likely success, reducing tremor and improving cognitive performance amongst others. Confirmation of this relationship is gathered from recent in vivo and in vitro efforts that support this hypothesis.