Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

Dopamine (DA) plays a critical role in nicotine (and other) addiction and this drug is known to release DA in brain areas mediating reward and motivational processes. Although imaging studies show that release of DA follows smoking, little is known regarding how common genetic polymorphisms for three genes associated in some studies with smoking (dopamine D2 receptor, dopamine and serotonin transporter) interact with smoking status and modulate individual differences in nicotine-induced DA release and dopamine receptor occupancy, in vivo. The current proposal combines brain imaging and genomics ('imaging genomics') towards partially unraveling the complex relationship between smoking phenotype and common polymorphisms. Understanding whether genetic factors contribute to inter-individual variability in smoking is crucial for interpreting imaging results in the context of disease pathology. We hypothesize that a model of vulnerability to addiction based on interactions between genotype, receptor and transporter availability and in vivo nicotine-induced DA release will elucidate some of the fundamental neurochemical and neurogenetic circuits underlying addiction.


Clinical Trial Description

Dopamine plays a critical role in nicotine(and other) addiction and this drug is known to release DA in brain areas mediating reward and motivational processes. Although imaging studies show that release of DA follows smoking, little is known regarding how common some genetic polymorphisms proposed to play a role in nicotine dependence (e.g. DRD2, DAT and the serotonin transporter or SERT) interact with smoking status (non-smoker, ex-smoker, light smoker, present smoker) and modulate individual differences in nicotine-induced DA release and dopamine receptor occupancy, in vivo. Individual differences in dopaminergic tone could result in an under-stimulation of reward circuits which could put subjects at greater risk for seeking drug stimulation (that releases DA) as a means to compensate for this deficit and to temporarily activate these reward circuits. The current proposal combines brain imaging and genomics towards unraveling the complex relationship between smoking phenotype and common polymorphisms. Understanding whether genetic factors contribute to inter-individual variability is crucial for interpreting imaging results in the context of disease pathology.

Nicotine dependence is a complex process including initiation of smoking, persistence and difficulty in quitting. By comparing receptor occupancy, nicotine-induced DA release, and common genetic polymorphisms across smoking behaviors we will better understand the complex interactions between genetic makeup, personality and the several stages of nicotine addiction. ;


Study Design

Endpoint Classification: Pharmacodynamics Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Diagnostic


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT00396669
Study type Interventional
Source Hadassah Medical Organization
Contact Aviv M Weinstein, Ph.D
Phone 00 972 2 6776705
Email avivweinstein@yahoo.com
Status Recruiting
Phase N/A
Start date July 2007
Completion date July 2012

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Withdrawn NCT02432066 - Effects of GTS-21 on Smoking Behavior and Neurocognitive Functions Phase 2
Completed NCT03960138 - Examining the Effects of Neural Stimulation on Inhibitory Control and Cigarette Smoking N/A
Recruiting NCT05030272 - Comparing Two Behavioral Approaches to Quitting Smoking in Mental Health Settings N/A
Completed NCT04646668 - Comparative Abuse Liability Among African American and White Smokers N/A
Completed NCT02560324 - Effect of Ramelteon on Smoking Abstinence Phase 2
Completed NCT02347605 - Medicinal Nicotine for Preventing Cue Induced Craving N/A
Completed NCT01428310 - Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Dietary Supplement Anatabloc in Reducing Daily Smokers' Urge to Smoke Phase 1
Completed NCT01442753 - Family-Skills Training to Prevent Tobacco and Other Substance Use in Latino Youth N/A
Completed NCT01625767 - Tobacco Approach Avoidance Training for Adolescent Smokers-1 Phase 2
Terminated NCT01800500 - Interest in Smokeless Tobacco Product as a Substitution for Cigarettes in Current Smokers N/A
Completed NCT01570595 - Positively Smoke Free on the Web (PSFW) for Smokers Living With HIV Phase 1/Phase 2
Active, not recruiting NCT01539525 - Screening to Augment Referral to Treatment- Project START Phase 2
Completed NCT01337817 - A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Ariva® Silver Wintergreen in Healthy Smokers Phase 1
Completed NCT00967005 - N-Acetyl Cysteine Plus Behavioral Therapy for Nicotine Dependent Pathological Gamblers Phase 2
Active, not recruiting NCT00751660 - Screening Methods in Finding Lung Cancer Early in Current or Former Smokers N/A
Completed NCT00790569 - Varenicline or Nicotine Patch and Nicotine Gum in Helping Smokers in a Methadone Treatment Program Stop Smoking N/A
Completed NCT00664261 - Clinical Effort Against Secondhand Smoke (CEASE) Program or Standard Care in Helping Parents Stop Smoking N/A
Completed NCT00158145 - Assessing the Variability Over Time of Tobacco Carcinogen Biomarkers in Smokers - 2 Phase 2
Completed NCT00158158 - Effectiveness of Reducing Smoking in Facilitating Smoking Cessation in Adolescents - 2 Phase 2/Phase 3
Completed NCT00134927 - A Survey on Consumer Use of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Nicotine Patches N/A