Environmental and genetic determinants of tobacco use: methodology for a multidisciplinary, longitudinal family-based investigation.
This article describes the ongoing collaborative effort of six research teams to operationalize and execute an integrative approach to the study of gene x environment interactions in the development of tobacco dependence. At the core of the project is a longitudinal investigation of social and behavioral risk factors for tobacco use in individuals who were, on average, 13 years of age at intake and for whom smoking outcomes extending from early adolescence to young adulthood have been characterized previously (current average age of the cohort is 29 years). The conceptual framework for the integrative approach and the longitudinal investigation on which the study is based is presented. A description is also provided of the methods used to: (a) recruit participants and families to provide DNA samples and information on tobacco use; (b) assess participants for relevant tobacco-related phenotypes including smoking history, current use of tobacco, and nicotine metabolism; (c) assess the quality of the DNA samples collected from participants for genome-wide scanning and candidate gene analysis; (d) examine several research questions concerning the role of genetic and environmental factors in the onset and maintenance of tobacco use; and (e) ensure adherence to local and federal guidelines for ethical and legal investigations of genotypic associations with tobacco-related phenotypes in families. This investigation is unique among ongoing studies of the genetics of tobacco dependence in the extent to which equal importance has been assigned to both phenotypic and genotypic measurements.
Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA. gary.swan@sri.com
Gary E
GE
Swan
Karen Suchanek
KS
Hudmon
Lisa M
LM
Jack
Kymberli
K
Hemberger
Dorit
D
Carmelli
Taline V
TV
Khroyan
Huijun Z
HZ
Ring
Hyman
H
Hops
Judy A
JA
Andrews
Elizabeth
E
Tildesley
Dale
D
McBride
Neal
N
Benowitz
Chris
C
Webster
Kirk C
KC
Wilhelmsen
Heidi S
HS
Feiler
Barbara
B
Koenig
Lorraine
L
Caron
Judy
J
Illes
Li S-C
LS
Cheng
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004777:Environment; D004995:Ethics, Professional; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants / Q000378:metabolism; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000378:metabolism; D018579:Patient Selection; D010641:Phenotype; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics*
D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants; D009538:Nicotine; D004247:DNA