UB Study Is First To Assess Relationship Of Genetic Predisposition To Nicotine Addiction, Smoking Cessation

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Quitting smoking is hard under any circumstances, but people who have a gene that speeds up transport of dopamine, the neurotransmitter that reinforces nicotine's addictive effect, may find stopping particularly difficult.

Researchers at the University at Buffalo and Georgetown University are conducting a $3.7 million, five-year study of the role of genetics in a smoker's response to standard cessation programs, and to determine if the drug Zyban, known to slow dopamine transport to the brain, can increase responsiveness and improve the chances of quitting. UB's portion of the grant, funded by the National Cancer Institute, will total about $1.2 million.

The study is the first to examine the role of specific genetic factors in relation to drug therapy for smoking cessation, and to evaluate the mechanisms that influence a smoker's ability to stop.

The ultimate goal of the study is to prevent lung cancer by helping smokers quit. Leonard Epstein, Ph.D., UB professor of pediatrics and social and preventive medicine, and research professor of psychology, will direct UB's part of the project.

The study is an outgrowth of earlier research to determine if smokers who know they have a genetic predisposition -- unrelated to dopamine transport -- to lung cancer would be more motivated to quit than those who are unaware of their increased genetic-linked risk. That study found that smokers who knew about their increased risk were more motivated to quit and made more attempts, but still were unable to stop.

These findings led researchers to undertake the current investigation of the genetic basis of nicotine dependence and its relationship to smoking cessation.

UB researchers will recruit between 300 and 400 smokers over a three-year period. All participants will receive seven smoking-cessation, group-counseling sessions and one phone session, along with Zyban or placebo. Their smoking behavior will be monitored at one month, six months and one year after the treatment program ends.

Epstein said results of the study would allow smoking-cessation treatments to be matched to individuals based on their genetic predisposition to nicotine addiction.