Significant associations of CHRNA2 and CHRNA6 with nicotine dependence in European American and African American populations.

The direct physiological effects that promote nicotine dependence (ND) are mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In line with the genetic and pharmacological basis of addiction, many previous studies have revealed significant associations between variants in the nAChR subunit genes and various measures of ND in different ethnic samples. In this study, we first examined the association of variants in nAChR subunits α2 (CHRNA2) and α6 (CHRNA6) genes on chromosome 8 with ND using a family sample consisting of 1,730 European Americans (EAs) from 495 families and 1,892 African Americans (AAs) from 424 families (defined as the discovery family sample).

Severity of withdrawal symptomatology in follicular versus luteal quitters: The combined effects of menstrual phase and withdrawal on smoking cessation outcome.

Women are at an increased risk of relapse after a smoking cessation attempt. While the reasons for this phenomenon are not fully understood, recent research indicates that both the menstrual cycle and negative symptomatology may play a role. The goal of this study was to describe the association between withdrawal symptoms during attempted smoking cessation, and to investigate the impact of these symptoms on smoking cessation outcomes as defined by 7-day point prevalence at 14 and 30 days.

Substance use, trait measures, and subjective response to nicotine in never-smokers stratified on parental smoking history and sex.

Introduction: Male and female never-smokers stratified on parental history of smoking were tested for possible differences in susceptibility to the hedonic effects of nicotine.

Methods: We recruited nicotine-exposed never-smokers with two never-smoking biological parents (PH-) or two ever-smoking biological parents (PH+). After completing a baseline assessment battery focusing on conditions or behaviors associated with smoking, participants were tested for subjective and hedonic effects in response to administration of three different nicotine doses (0.

Race differences in factors relating to smoking initiation.

To investigate race differences in retrospectively-reported early smoking experiences, we studied African-American (n=48) and Caucasian (n=155) current smokers who participated in a study designed to identify phenotypic and genotypic factors associated with smoking. Compared with Caucasian smokers, African-American smokers were less educated (mean+/-s.e.

Using MIMIC models to examine the relationship between current smoking and early smoking experiences.

Introduction: The present study expands previous research on early experiences with tobacco by using a Multiple Indicator Multiple Causes (MIMIC) model, which permits combining indicators tapping into pleasant experiences into one latent construct and those indicators of unpleasant experiences into another latent construct.

Methods: A sample of 458 participants was recruited via newspaper advertisements. Response to early experimentation with cigarettes was assessed using the Early Smoking Experiences questionnaire, in which participants were asked the following question: "The first time you tried cigarettes, did you experience any of the following? (pleasurable and displeasurable sensations [overall], pleasurable rush or buzz, dizziness, relaxation, nausea, cough, difficulty inhaling).

Never-smokers with a positive family smoking history are more likely to be overweight or obese than never-smokers with a negative family smoking history.

To shed light on the complex relationship between smoking and body weight, we used never-smokers stratified on family smoking history to model the effects of a diathesis for smoking on body weight without the potential confound of metabolic changes or decreased physical activity caused by chronic tobacco smoke exposure. Participants were 100 family history negative never-smokers (FH-; 2 never-smoking parents) and 71 family history positive never-smokers (FH+; 2 ever-smoking parents). Controlling for significant group differences in race and age, BMI was significantly higher in FH+ (26.

Influence of phase-related variability in premenstrual symptomatology, mood, smoking withdrawal, and smoking behavior during ad libitum smoking, on smoking cessation outcome.

Emerging evidence suggests that women have a more difficult time quitting smoking than men-possibly due, in part, to sex hormones. The present study characterized mood, premenstrual symptomatology, and smoking withdrawal, as well as smoking behavior, in the follicular and luteal phases during ad libitum smoking in 25 women intending to quit. We also investigated the possible influence of phase-related variability in these measures on likelihood of study adherence and smoking cessation.

Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism in neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha 5 (CHRNA5) with smoking status and with 'pleasurable buzz' during early experimentation with smoking.

Aims: To extend the previously identified association between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-5 (CHRNA5) and nicotine dependence to current smoking and initial smoking-experience phenotypes.

Design, Setting, Participants: Case-control association study with a community-based sample, comprising 363 Caucasians and 72 African Americans (203 cases, 232 controls).

Measurements: Cases had smoked > or = five cigarettes/day for > or = 5 years and had smoked at their current rate for the past 6 months.

Validity and reliability of the Weight Control Smoking Scale.

The Weight Control Smoking Scale (WCSS), originally developed as part of a Reasons for Smoking Scale, includes 3 items (smoke to avoid weight gain; smoke to control appetite; less hungry when smoking). Although widely used, it has not previously been subjected to psychometric analysis. To fill this gap, we analyzed data from 1512 smokers.

Association of withdrawal features with nicotine dependence as measured by the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND).

The aim of this study was to advance our understanding of how nicotine dependence level, defined by the Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND), relates to nicotine withdrawal features. We classified nicotine dependence in two categories, 1) low dependence (LD; FTND<4) and 2) high dependence (HD; FTND> or =4). A sample of 241 smokers was recruited via newspaper ads and public notices.

Web-based smoking-cessation programs: results of a randomized trial.

Background: Initial trials of web-based smoking-cessation programs have generally been promising. The active components of these programs, however, are not well understood. This study aimed to (1) identify active psychosocial and communication components of a web-based smoking-cessation intervention and (2) examine the impact of increasing the tailoring depth on smoking cessation.

Favorite cigarette of the day in a random sample of women smokers.

From a random digit dialing survey of American women, we assessed current smokers (n=371). Respondents were 33.6+/-7.

Genome-wide linkage analysis for smoking-related regions, with replication in two ethnically diverse populations.

As part of the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy, hypertensive sibships were collected and smoking behavior recorded. Using an affected sibpair design and genome-wide microsatellite data markers ( approximately 10 cM coverage), we identified 214 non-Hispanic White sibships (502 sibpairs) from Rochester, Minnesota (M (age) [SD] = 55.68 years [10.

Evaluating the ability of visual images to inform college women about the link between smoking and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and to motivate quitting: critical dimensions.

Background: Because cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN, or dysplasia) is associated with behavioral factors, health education is an important part of the care of patients at risk for this disease. Smoking, which is strongly associated with CIN and cancers, is particularly important because smoking cessation, even after the onset of CIN, improves outcomes. This study is part of an effort to identify effective ways to convey information about the association between smoking and CIN to at-risk women.

Differences in smoking patterns among women smokers with childhood versus later onset of weight problems.

We hypothesized that among overweight women smokers, those with Childhood Onset weight problems may be more likely to engage in unhealthy eating and dieting behaviors, including smoking to control weight. Data were collapsed from 89 currently overweight (BMI> or =25) women smokers who were recruited to participate in smoking research projects that focused on weight, body image, and food intake. We compared those who reported first becoming overweight before Junior High School (n=22) with those who recalled first experiencing weight problems during Junior High School or later (n=67).

Body image, body satisfaction, and eating patterns in normal-weight and overweight/obese women current smokers and never-smokers.

To explore differences between women smokers and never-smokers in body image and eating patterns, we analyzed data obtained from 587 women (18-55 years old) recruited to participate in laboratory investigations not focused on weight concerns. The sample consisted of 420 current smokers and 167 never-smokers; 44% of each group were overweight or obese (BMI>or=25). Questionnaires included measures of body image, body dissatisfaction, and restrained and disinhibited eating.

Actual versus perceived risk of cervical cancer among college women smokers.

Unlabelled: Cervical cancer is a well-established smoking-related illness, but many at-risk women are unaware of this link.

Objective: The authors designed this study to (1) investigate the relationship of smoking behavior with the history of abnormal Pap test results, sexual history, and perceived risk of cervical cancer and (2) determine whether self-classified smoking status (and hence perceived risk) corresponds with actual smoking behavior in a college student population. PARTICIPANTS AND METHOD SUMMARY: College women students (N = 135) completed a survey assessing smoking history, health history, sexual risk behavior, and risk awareness.

Differences in smoking-related variables based on phenylthiocarbamide "taster" status.

Test strips impregnated with phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) have been used to identify genetic differences based on whether a bitter taste is perceived. To determine whether smokers who perceive PTC as bitter tasting ("tasters") would differ from those who describe it as tasteless ("non-tasters") on smoking-related variables, we studied 464 current smokers (70% female, 79% White; mean age 30.5+/-9 years) recruited to participate in laboratory experiments and clinical trials.

Unaided smoking cessation among smokers in treatment for alcohol dependence.

To investigate the possible impact of treatment of alcohol dependence on smoking, we studied 144 smokers in an alcohol treatment center for whom 6-month data were available. Of those, 18 reported not smoking at 6 months. No significant differences in age, gender, or race were observed between quitters and continuing smokers.

Nicotine dependence, depression, and gender: characterizing phenotypes based on withdrawal discomfort, response to smoking, and ability to abstain.

Smoking is often viewed as a comprehensive phenotype rather than a complex set of traits involving intermediate phenotypes. To explore this issue in a laboratory setting, we tested 69 smokers stratified on depression, nicotine dependence, and gender. On the third day of an initial withdrawal period, we tested for differences among participants in uncued and cued craving and withdrawal; on the fourth day, we exposed them to a controlled dose of smoke and assessed them for physiological and hedonic effects and reduction of craving and withdrawal.

Validity of retrospective assessments of nicotine dependence: a preliminary report.

Information about levels of nicotine dependence in ex-smokers when they smoked, or in current smokers at an earlier date, is useful for clinical and research purposes. To estimate the accuracy of retrospective reports of dependence, 28 individuals who completed either the Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ) or Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) in smoking cessation trials conducted 5 to 12 years earlier were asked to respond again to the same questions, thinking back to their smoking behavior just prior to their on-study quit attempt. Concordance and Kappa values for the items ranged from 50.

Validation of retrospective reports of early experiences with smoking.

Initial sensitivity to the pharmacological effects of a drug may affect patterns of future use and dependence for a wide variety of drugs. Retrospective reports of sensations experienced upon early experimentation, however, may be limited by recall bias based on time elapsed and subsequent experiences. To validate reports of early experiences with nicotine, we studied 34 smokers who had contributed retrospective data on early experiences with smoking.

Differences in accuracy of offspring assessment based on parental smoking status.

To investigate the accuracy of offspring assessments of parental smoking status, we studied 116 parents and 151 adult children (276 parent-child dyads) who provided data on both their own and their parents' smoking status. All currently smoking and all ex-smoking parents were correctly classified as ever-smokers by their offspring (n = 79 and 100, respectively). Of the 97 offspring who reported on never-smoking parents, 88 correctly classified their parents as never-smokers.

Heterogeneity in phenotypes based on smoking status in the Great Lakes Smoker Sibling Registry.

We investigated whether 52 same-sex sibling pairs discordant for ever-smoking differed on psychiatric cofactors, alcohol and caffeine use, and responses to initial exposure to smoking. Ever-smokers scored significantly higher on measures of novelty seeking, depression, and childhood ADHD, and on alcohol dependence, alcohol intake, and caffeine intake. They reported significantly more pleasurable experiences, dizziness, "buzz," and relaxation upon initial exposure to smoking and significantly fewer displeasurable sensations, nausea, and cough than did nicotine-exposed, never-smoking siblings.