Prenatal nicotine exposure and neuronal progenitor cells

During embryonic and early postnatal neurogenesis, the appearance of new signaling molecules on neuronal progenitor cells gives rise to a vast diversity of neuronal and glial cells. The newly differentiated neurons migrate to their final destinations to generate primary anatomical regions of the brain and begin to establish a lifelong functional communication route with fellow neurons. Any changes in neurogenesis during the prenatal period by any disruption of signaling pathways compromise the structures and functions of the brain for whole life. Nicotine, an ingredient in tobacco smoke, is thought to disturb the development of the fetal brain. Here, we discuss the impact of prenatal nicotine exposure on neurogenesis via certain subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors that are expressed on neuronal progenitor cells.