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Different genes influence smoking risk during adolescence and adulthood

Date:
March 31, 2011
Source:
Elsevier
Summary:
There is growing evidence that the risk factors for addiction change throughout the lifespan. The risk factors for developing addiction in adolescence are the most intensively studied because this life phase is associated with the highest addiction risk. Traits linked to addiction risk during adolescence include pleasure-seeking, behavioral disinhibition, and devaluation of the future negative consequences of behavior. In contrast, the development of substance use among adults is more commonly associated with high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
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There is growing evidence that the risk factors for addiction change throughout the lifespan.

The risk factors for developing addiction in adolescence are the most intensively studied because this life phase is associated with the highest addiction risk. Traits linked to addiction risk during adolescence include pleasure-seeking, behavioral disinhibition, and devaluation of the future negative consequences of behavior. In contrast, the development of substance use among adults is more commonly associated with high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Thus, perhaps it is not surprising that different sets of genes are now implicated in the risk for addiction in adolescence and adulthood.

In a new study published in Biological Psychiatry, researchers found that teenagers carrying variants in two gene regions were three times more likely to become regular smokers in adolescence and twice as likely to be persistent smokers in adulthood, compared to non-carriers.

Variation in a set of dopamine-related genes was associated with a person's risk of starting smoking, and these genes had a stronger impact on smoking initiation in adolescents than in adults. Individuals carrying the risk variants had a 1.3-fold increased risk of starting smoking in their teenage years.

The other set of genes coded for subunits of the nicotinic cholinergic receptors, the brain targets for nicotine inhaled during smoking. Variation in these genes influenced the likelihood of smokers continuing the habit into adulthood, as it had a stronger influence on the smoking habits of adults than of adolescents. Those carrying these variants had a 1.3-fold increased risk of becoming a heavy and persistent smoker in adulthood.

"These findings seem to make some sense. The dopamine-related genes may be more closely associated with the risk for addiction within the context of thrill-seeking, while cholinergic receptors, which have been implicated in mood and cognition as well as addiction, might contribute to self-medication models of addiction," commented Dr. John Krystal, Editor of Biological Psychiatry.

The researchers say the findings could help develop genetic testing for those wishing to know their susceptibility to nicotine dependence and tobacco-related disease. It could also pave the way for targeted drugs that influence an individual's response to nicotine. However, further research is necessary before these goals could be implemented.


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Materials provided by Elsevier. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Francesca Ducci, Marika Kaakinen, Anneli Pouta, Anna-Liisa Hartikainen, Juha Veijola, Matti Isohanni, Pimphen Charoen, Lachlan Coin, Clive Hoggart, Jesper Ekelund. TTC12-ANKK1-DRD2 and CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 Influence Different Pathways Leading to Smoking Behavior from Adolescence to Mid-Adulthood. Biological Psychiatry, 2011; 69 (7): 650 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.09.055

Cite This Page:

Elsevier. "Different genes influence smoking risk during adolescence and adulthood." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 31 March 2011. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110331080035.htm>.
Elsevier. (2011, March 31). Different genes influence smoking risk during adolescence and adulthood. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110331080035.htm
Elsevier. "Different genes influence smoking risk during adolescence and adulthood." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110331080035.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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