Tobacco dependence

Although their results were encouraging, these studies demonstrated how difficult it is to treat cannabis dependence. Experience with treating tobacco dependence has revealed that a combination of various psychotherapeutic techniques and pharmacotherapies is more effective than either approach alone in producing and maintaining cessation. Thus, the use of medication during the cessation period may significantly improve quit rates and maintenance of abstinence. 

Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Database and Educational Resource for the Treatment of Tobacco Dependence. Available at http //www.treatobacco. net. Accessed April 18, 2003. 

CYP2A6 [polymorphisms] (MIM 122720) Impaired metabolism of nicotine, resulting in protection against becoming a tobacco-dependent smoker... 

Lerman, C., Patterson, F., Berrettini, W. Treating tobacco dependence state of the science and new directions. J. Clin, Oncol. 23 311, 2005. 

Shiftman S (1989). Tobacco chippers Individual differences in tobacco dependence. Psychopharmacology, 97, 539-547. 

Nicotine The psychoactive drug found in Nicotiana tabacum that underlies cigarette smoking and tobacco dependence. 

The Relationship Between Genetically Determined Variants of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Tobacco Dependence... 

Perhaps because of these effects on metabolism of brain amines CYP2D6 status has been linked to personality traits [34]. These personality traits are themselves associated with tobacco dependence and hence provide another possible mechanism finking allelic variation at the CYP2D6 locus to smoking behavior. 

Perhaps the largest gap in the evidence surrounds the primary site of action of nicotine in the brain - the acetylcholine receptor itself. Studies on links with tobacco dependence in humans will await closer definition of the complex interaction between nicotine and its receptor and the identification of the receptor sub-types that are important in addiction pathways (see Section 22.4). 

Dissection of the molecular mechanisms underlying tobacco addiction should lead to new and better treatments to achieve nicotine withdrawal. It seems clear that the dopamine D2 receptor is involved in nicotine dependence and drugs that block this receptor, such as tiapride, could be useful in the treatment of tobacco dependence. Tiapride has been shown to be successful in alcohol withdrawal [58] but would represent a new avenue for tobacco addiction therapy. 

Minimum SNP Set for Tobacco Dependence and Need for High-Throughput Genotyping... 

A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying tobacco addiction will lead to the identification of different types of smokers. Classifying smokers according to the underlying biological processes involved in their addiction will lead to new treatments for tobacco dependence. Patient-specific therapy with both choice of treatment and dose of drug informed by DNA analysis seems likely to be more effective than conventional therapy with fewer unwanted effects. 

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