Gene found nicotine dependence

An international team of scientists has genes that could contribute to the development of nicotine dependence. The discovery was made as a result of a large-scale study of 14,000 persons. Previous studies of twins have shown that the development of the heavy reliance on tobacco (smoked more than a pack of cigarettes per day), the important role played by genetic factors. Scientists estimate that the risk of becoming a heavy smoker, a person, about 60% is determined by the genes. Scientists from the U.S., Canada and Italy have studied the DNA of six thousand people. After analyzing over 500 thousand varieties of genes, they found certain variants of two genes. Most common in heavy smokers These genes encode proteins, so-called alpha-3 and alpha-5 subunit of the nicotinic receptor. According to the researchers, these proteins serve nicotine with brain cells that bind involved in the development of nicotine dependence. DNA analysis of the other eight thousand confirmed evidence that genes alpha-3 and alpha-5 nicotinic acid receptor sub-units play an important role in the development of nicotine dependence. They may be a new point of application of the anti-smoking drug, the researchers believe. In addition, recent data can help you select the optimal method can be used for the treatment of nicotine dependence in the individual patient. The study was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.