Lack of association of a functional catechol-O-Methyltransferase gene polymorphism with risk of tobacco smoking: Results from a multicenter case-control study

Jochen Mutschler*, Elvira Abbruzzese, Christoph Von der Goltz, Christina Dinter, Arian Mobascher, Holger Thiele, Amalia Diaz-Lacava, Norbert Dahmen, Jürgen Gallinat, Tomislav Majic, Nadine Petrovsky, Norbert Thuerauf, Johannes Kornhuber, Gerhard Gründer, Lena Rademacher, Juergen Brinkmeyer, Thomas Wienker, Michael Wagner, Georg Winterer, Falk Kiefer

*Korrespondierende/r Autor/-in für diese Arbeit
3 Zitate (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) modulates dopaminergic neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex as well as in the mesolimbic reward system. Since the reward system mediates addictive behavior, the COMT gene is a strong candidate gene regarding the pathophysiology of tobacco dependence and smoking behavior. Because of rather conflicting results in previous studies, the purpose of the present study was to test for association between a functional genetic variant in the COMT gene (single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] rs4680) and tobacco smoking behavior. Methods: In a population-based case-control multicenter study designed for tobacco addiction research, a total of 551 current smokers of European ancestry and 548 age-matched healthy volunteers (never-smokers) were genotyped for SNP rs4680 and extensively characterized concerning their smoking behavior. Results: We found no association between smoking status and SNP rs4680 genotype nor did we find a significant association to the degree of tobacco dependence. Conclusions: Although prefrontal cortical and ventral striatal activity are highly relevant for addictive behavior, and under partial control of COMT rs4680 genotype, no association between COMT and smoking behavior was observed. Other genetic variants may account for the high heritability of behavioral smoking phenotypes.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
ZeitschriftNicotine and Tobacco Research
Jahrgang15
Ausgabenummer7
Seiten (von - bis)1322-1327
Seitenumfang6
ISSN1462-2203
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 07.2013

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  • Forschungsschwerpunkt: Gehirn, Hormone, Verhalten - Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM)

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