The α3β4 nAChR partial agonist AT-1001 attenuates stress-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking in a rat model of relapse and induces minimal withdrawal in dependent rats.

•AT-1001, a high affinity, selective α3β4 nAChR partial agonist attenuates reinstatement of nicotine seeking induced by pharmacological stress in a rat model of relapse.•When administered to nicotine-dependent rats, AT-1001 induces minimum withdrawal signs.•The robust efficacy of α3β4 nAChR-selective compounds such as AT-1001 to block reinstatement of nicotine-seeking differentiate it from current smoking cessation medications like bupropion and varenicline which do not attenuate relapse to nicotine seeking.•Targeting the α3β4 nAChR offers a new approach for smoking cessation treatment and improving long term abstinence rates.