Analyze the high rate of smoking in those diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to the general population. Why are smoking cessation interventions less successful in these individuals? Review the accepted mechanisms of tobacco abuse and dependence and the etiologic theories of schizophrenia. What are the biological and/or psychological mechanisms between schizophrenia and smoking? Include information on brain structures, pathways, neurotransmitters/receptors, and psychological factors when discussing the topic areas above. Additional emphasis should be placed on relating the underlying pathology of schizophrenia to tobacco dependence/abuse and the biological or psychological mechanism of the observed association of smoking behavior to the diagnosis of schizophrenia.

In keeping with the focus of this class, the emphasis should be placed on the role of neurotransmitter and receptor systems, neuroanatomical structures, and neurological functional pathways. You must use a minimum of one peer-reviewed source that was published within the last five years, documented in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. How does the data support the proposed mechanism in the article you chose? What other possible mechanisms might explain this relationship? Is it possible that biology has nothing to do with the relationship between smoking and schizophrenia? Your post should be a minimum of 250 words. You may cite and reference your textbook, required reading and/or multimedia, but these will not fulfill the source requirement.