Caudate Nucleus The caudate nucleus, an area of the brain that controls voluntary movement, illustrates this adaptation. Without the nicotine, neurons cannot maintain impulses at the levels they had previously. As a result, some smokers experience hand tremors between cigarettes. These "smoker's tremors" may be hard to see, because a smoker hides them by smoking another cigarette. The tremors may be a sign of withdrawal, but they will go away if the smoker gives up smoking for good. Previous | Back to Introduction Resources | Teacher's Guide | Transcript | Site Map | Search for a Safe Cigarette Home Search | Site Map | Previously Featured | Schedule | Feedback | Teachers | Shop Join Us/E-Mail | About NOVA | Editor's Picks | Watch NOVAs online | To print PBS Online | NOVA Online | WGBH © | Updated October 2001 |