 |
|
Throwing the micro switch: MicroRNA may link smoking risk gene to neurobiology of addiction
April 23, 2009During the past several years, significant progress has been made in identifying susceptibility genes for nicotine dependence through genetic linkage and association analyses. Although a large number of genes have been associated with tobacco smoking, only a very limited number of genetic variants are considered to be causative. How to find these functional variants and then characterize them remains challenging in the field of human genetics.
In the traditional genetic dogma, DNA codes for RNA and RNA codes for protein. But what about the leftover bits of RNA that do not seem to code for proteins? One type of RNA 'leftovers' is the microRNAs. These small pieces of RNA do not code for proteins. Instead, they influence the extent to which other genes are expressed, i.e., the rate or extent of conversion of DNA to RNA. To date, there have been relatively few examples of the direct involvement of microRNAs in psychiatric disorders.
However, a study scheduled for publication in the April 15th issue of Biological Psychiatry (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/biopsychiat), published by Elsevier, has now provided new insights into how variation in the dopamine D1 receptor gene (DRD1) may be linked to the risk for nicotine dependence through microRNA action.
Huang and Li, researchers at the University of Virginia, previously showed that the DRD1 gene, one of the major receptors in the brain that mediate the actions of the neurotransmitter dopamine, is associated with tobacco dependence, and that two alleles of a variant within this gene are differentially expressed. "In the current study, we demonstrated that such differential expression of DRD1 is regulated by microRNA miR-504," explains Dr. Li.
In other words, this microRNA seems to directly influence how these genetic variations are expressed within the DRD1 gene, thereby influencing ones risk to developing nicotine dependence. John Krystal, M.D., Editor of Biological Psychiatry, comments: "This study provides an interesting example of how variation in a gene that contributes to the risk of smoking may do so by throwing a 'micro switch' and thereby increasing the expression of the dopamine 1 receptor gene."
Elsevier
Huang and Li, researchers at the University of Virginia, previously showed that the DRD1 gene, one of the major receptors in the brain that mediate the actions of the neurotransmitter dopamine, is associated with tobacco dependence, and that two alleles of a variant within this gene are differentially expressed. "In the current study, we demonstrated that such differential expression of DRD1 is regulated by microRNA miR-504," explains Dr. Li.
In other words, this microRNA seems to directly influence how these genetic variations are expressed within the DRD1 gene, thereby influencing ones risk to developing nicotine dependence. John Krystal, M.D., Editor of Biological Psychiatry, comments: "This study provides an interesting example of how variation in a gene that contributes to the risk of smoking may do so by throwing a 'micro switch' and thereby increasing the expression of the dopamine 1 receptor gene."
Elsevier
Nicotine Dependence Current Events and Nicotine Dependence News RSSCrushing cigarettes in a virtual reality environment reduces tobacco addiction
Smokers who crushed computer-simulated cigarettes as part of a psychosocial treatment program in a virtual reality environment had significantly reduced nicotine dependence and higher rates of tobacco abstinence than smokers participating in the same program who grasped a computer-simulated ball.
Lung cancer risk increases with expression of specific genes
A recent study published in the October 2009 issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology determined that variations of specific genetic markers identified in previous research, or SNPs, may indicate a greater lung cancer risk in African Americans than in whites.
Nicotine dependence remains prevalent despite recent declines in cigarette use
Despite recent declines in cigarette use in the U.S., nicotine dependence has remained steady among adults and has actually increased among some groups.
Skin color clue to nicotine dependence
Higher concentrations of melanin -- the color pigment in skin and hair -- may be placing darker pigmented smokers at increased susceptibility to nicotine dependence and tobacco-related carcinogens than lighter skinned smokers, according to scientists.
Kids who watch R-rated movies are more likely to smoke
A new study finds that kids who are allowed to watch R-rated movies are much more likely to believe it's easy to get a cigarette than those who aren't allowed to watch such films.
Genetic markers identified for alcohol response in UCSF Gallo study
Researchers at the UCSF Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center have identified a region on the human genome that appears to determine how strongly drinkers feel the effects of alcohol and thus how prone they are to alcohol abuse.
Penn research probes genetic underpinnings of nicotine addiction
A new study from the Abramson Cancer Center and Department of Psychiatry in the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine shows that smokers who carry a particular version of a gene for an enzyme that regulates dopamine in the brain may suffer from concentration problems and other cognitive deficits when abstaining from nicotine - a problem that puts them at risk for relapse during attempts to quit smoking.
ADHD appears to increase level of nicotine dependence in smokers
Young people with ADHD are not only at increased risk of starting to smoke cigarettes, they also tend to become more seriously addicted to tobacco and more vulnerable to environmental factors such as having friends or parents who smoke, according to a study from Massachusetts General Hospital reseachers.
Parental warning: second-hand smoke may trigger nicotine dependence symptoms in kids
Parents who smoke cigarettes around their kids in cars and homes beware -- second-hand smoke may trigger symptoms of nicotine dependence in children.
If your first cigarette gave you a buzz and you now smoke, a gene may be to blame
Anyone who has ever tried smoking probably remembers that first cigarette vividly. For some, it brought a wave of nausea or a nasty coughing fit. For others, those first puffs also came with a rush of pleasure or "buzz."
More Nicotine Dependence Current Events and Nicotine Dependence News Articles
 |
Nicotine Dependence: Understanding And Applying The Most Effective Treatment Intervention by Charles E. Dodgen (Author) Nicotine consumed via cigarettes is one of the more addictive, as well as destructive, substances of abuse. Most-if not all-smokers desire to stop at some point. This book presents an in-depth review and examination of the available techniques and methods that clinicians can use to effectively treat this condition. It presents the pharmacological treatment methods, specifically those that have demonstrated effectiveness. It includes a useful, detailed, step-by-step, 10-session treatment and assessment model that clinicians can use to develop an individual plan for their clients. |
 |
Nicorette Nicotine Polacrilex Gum, 4 mg, Fruit Chill, 100-Count Box by Nicorette Nicorette Nicotine Gum is bursting with cool fruit flavor, and designed for people who smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day. Each piece contains 94 milligrams of calcium and 13 milligrams of sodium. |
 |
Nicotine Dependence Chart by American 3B Scientific Nicotine Dependence Chart Nicotine Dependence ChartThis thickly laminated anatomical chart is printed on premium glossy (200 g) UV resistant paper and comes with 2 sided lamination (125 micron, 5.0 Mil) and metal eyelets to make the chart easy to display. It comes in a convenient poster size 50 x 67 cm (20x26’’) and can be written on and wiped off with non permenant markers. The 125 micron lamination ensures the chart does not curl up at the edges and the UV treament ensures the chart does not get a faded yellow color over time.Measurements:50 x 67 cm Weight: 0,15 kgProduct photo may not exactly match the product offered for sale. Please refer to the product description. |
|
New drugs emerging for nicotine dependence.(Rx): An article from: Internal Medicine News by Carl Sherman (Author) This digital document is an article from Internal Medicine News, published by Thomson Gale on February 1, 2005. The length of the article is 582 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: New drugs emerging for nicotine dependence.(Rx) Author: Carl Sherman Publication: Internal Medicine News (Magazine/Journal) Date: February 1, 2005 Publisher: Thomson Gale Volume: 38 Issue: 3 Page: 52(1) Distributed by Thomson... | |
![The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence-Smokeless Tobacco (FTND-ST) [An article from: Addictive Behaviors]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41J08AVSFVL._SL160_.jpg) |
The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence-Smokeless Tobacco (FTND-ST) [An article from: Addictive Behaviors] by J.O. Ebbert (Author), C.A. Patten (Author), D.R. Schroeder (Author) This digital document is a journal article from Addictive Behaviors, published by Elsevier in 2006. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Description: Few nicotine dependence measures have been developed for smokeless tobacco (ST) users. Existing measures are limited by the requirement to rate the nicotine content of ST brands for which data is scarce or non-existent. We modified the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) for ST users, referred to this scale as the FTND-ST, and evaluated its characteristics in a population of 42 ST users. The correlation between the FTND-ST total score and the serum cotinine concentrations was 0.53... |
|
|
Comparison of the Heavy Smoking Index and of the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence in a sample of 749 cigarette smokers [An article from: Addictive Behaviors] by H. Chabrol (Author), M. Niezborala (Author), E. Chastan (Author), J. de Leon (Author) This digital document is a journal article from Addictive Behaviors, published by Elsevier in . The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Description: Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was administered to a sample of 749 adult smokers. The Heavy Smoking Index (HSI) which combines two items of the FTND (the number of cigarettes per day and the time of the first cigarette of the day) was compared to the FTND. A cut-off score equal or greater than 4 on the HSI detected a similar rate of nicotine dependence as a cut-off score equal or greater than 6 on the FTND. HSI had good sensitivity (79.5%) and specificity (96.5%). The concordance between the two instruments was high... |
 |
Nicorette Nicotine Polacrilex Gum, 2 mg, Fruit Chill, 100-Count Box by Nicorette Nicorette Nicotine Gum is bursting with cool fruit flavor, and designed for people who smoke less than 25 cigarettes a day. Each piece contains 94 milligrams of calcium and 11 milligrams of sodium. |
 |
Effects of Atomoxetine on Nicotine Abstinence Symptoms: Evaluating Atomoxetine on Nicotine Dependence Endophenotypes by Riju Ray (Author), Caryn Lerman (Author) One of the biggest public health problems worldwide is nicotine dependence. Currently available FDA-approved medications are successful in the treatment of nicotine dependence for only a small subset of smokers. Links between inattention and hyperactivity symptoms and smoking have been identified both in psychiatric and general populations. This book describes a human behavioral pharmacology study undertaken to evaluate the beneficial effects of the ADHD medication atomoxetine on nicotine abstinence symptoms. Smokers completed two 7-day medication phases comparing initial efficacy of atomoxetine (compared to placebo using double-blind design) on a variety of self-report questionnaires, cognitive and behavioral measures. Atomoxetine had beneficial effects on self-report measures (after... |
 |
Medication Treatments for Nicotine Dependence by Tony P. George (Editor) Despite the prevalence of both pharmaceutical and behavioral approaches to encourage cessation, over a billion people still indulge in tobacco. Even in the U.S., where tobacco use is considered a clearly treatable and socially regrettable condition, a significant percentage of individuals remain resistant to treatment modalities. It is believed that the problem lies with the availability, the effectiveness, and the tolerance of the treatments. Thus, the development of new and more effective medications for treating nicotine dependence is an area of significant therapeutic importance, and one made increasingly more viable given our rapidly increasing knowledge about the actions of nicotine and tobacco components on the brain. “We are entering a Renaissance period … that promises to... |
 |
Nicorette Gum Starter Kit, 2 mg, 110 pieces (Mint) by Nicorette For those who smoke less than 25 cigarettes a day. Each piece contains: calcium (94 mg), sodium (13 mg). |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |