Converging lines of evidence suggest that men generally smoke for nicotine-related reinforcement, whereas women smoke for non-nicotine factors. Women have more difficulty quitting smoking and are less responsive to nicotine replacement therapies than men, underscoring the importance of examining sex differences in the neurochemical mechanisms underlying nicotine-motivated behavior. We review the recent imaging literature on sex differences in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor system and in the dopaminergic system in response to nicotine administration and tobacco smoking. We offer an explanation to unify imaging findings related to the dopamine system. We then propose a course of action for future medication development for tobacco smoking addiction.

越来越多的证据表明，男性通常吸烟是为了尼古丁相关的强化，而女性则吸烟为非尼古丁因素。与男性相比，女性戒烟困难更大，对尼古丁替代疗法的反应也较弱，从而强调了在基于尼古丁动机的神经化学机制中研究性别差异的重要性。我们回顾了有关烟碱给药和吸烟对烟碱乙酰胆碱受体系统和多巴胺能系统中性别差异的最新影像学文献。我们提供一个解释，以统一与多巴胺系统有关的影像学发现。然后，我们提出了针对吸烟成瘾的未来药物开发的行动方案。