Neurogenetic determinants and mechanisms of addiction to nicotine and smoked tobacco

摘要: The single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States is tobacco use. Decades study show that risk becoming addicted to smoked cigarettes varies greatly amongst individuals heritable, yet environmental factors are also important contributors. In this review, we consider a wide range methodologies key published reports have defined inheritance different stages nicotine-dependent smoking behavior, including preference, initiation, regular use, withdrawal dependence as well cessation relapse. Major findings from both animal human studies discussed. Current converge primarily on role nicotinic cholinergic receptor subunits, although other neurotransmitter systems nicotine metabolism enzymes implicated. Various addiction may share common genetic mechanisms, several lines evidence indicate each stage has its own unique determinants. Studies heritability initiation demonstrate substantial for gene-environment interaction, precise molecular mechanism(s) remains unknown. Considering relatively few genes identified so far small modest fraction variance particular phenotype (e.g., late adolescence) attributable these genes, large gap be filled order account phenotypes involved tobacco. Looking forward, new research strategies involving will produce fundamental insights foundation precision medical treatment