Genetic variation in CHRNA7 and CHRFAM7A is associated with nicotine dependence and response to varenicline treatment.

The role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in nicotine dependence (ND) is well established; CHRNA7, encoding the α7 subunit, has a still uncertain role in ND, although it is implicated in a wide range of neuropsychiatric conditions. CHRFAM7A, a hybrid gene containing a partial duplication of CHRNA7, is possibly involved in modulating α7 nAChR function. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of CHRNA7 and CHRFAM7A genetic variants in ND and to test the hypothesis that α7 nAChR variation may modulate the efficacy of varenicline treatment in smoking cessation.

Smoking cessation: aspects of prevention and therapy. The activity of the Smoking Cessation Center of Parma-Italy.

The World Health Organization states that only a reduction in tobacco use would lower the number of deaths from cancer. It is possible to decrease the number of deaths by means of prevention and/or smoking cessation. Smoking cessation therapy includes both psychological support and pharmacological treatment: Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), Bupropion Sustained-Release, and Varenicline.

Serotonergic function after (+/-)3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine ('Ecstasy') in humans.

(+/-)3,4-Methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or 'Ecstasy') effects on serotonin system function and behaviour in humans are unclear. Fifteen MDMA users, who did not have other drug dependencies or alcohol abuse, and had not used other drugs for prolonged periods, and 15 control individuals were included in a study to assess the biological and psychological changes after chronic use of MDMA. Prolactin and cortisol responses to D-fenfluramine challenge, clinical psychobehavioural changes, personality characteristics, including mood, aggressiveness and temperamental aspects, were evaluated 3 weeks after MDMA discontinuation.

GABAergic function in detoxified heroin addicts: relationship to anxiety disorders.

The function of the GABAergic system was examined in 20 subjects with heroin dependence and abuse, 2 months after detoxification, and in 10 healthy volunteers, by measuring the growth hormone (GH) response to a challenge with the GABA B receptor agonist baclofen. Ten heroin addicts had comorbid anxiety disorder (Group A), while the other ten had heroin addiction uncomplicated by Axis I and II psychopathologies (Group B). GH responses to baclofen stimulation of Group A patients were significantly blunted, while those of Group B subjects did not differ from responses of healthy volunteers.

Neuroendocrine responses of healthy volunteers to 'techno-music': relationships with personality traits and emotional state.

A variety of studies reported psychological and physiological effects of music. Different types of music have been found to induce different neuroendocrine changes. The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the possible combination of emotional and endocrine changes in response to techno-music and to define personality variables as predictors of respective changes.