title: Association of BDNF and COMT genotypes with cognitive processing of anti-smoking PSAs.
abstract: Anti-smoking public service announcements (PSAs) often use persuasive arguments to attempt to influence attitudes about smoking. The persuasiveness of a PSA has previously been associated with factors that influence the cognitive processing of its message. Genetic factors that influence cognitive processing might thus affect individuals' responses to the persuasive arguments presented in PSAs. In the present study, we examined polymorphisms in the genes encoding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF Val66Met) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT Val158Met), which affect cognitive processing in the prefrontal cortex, to identify genetic factors associated with self-reported outcomes of message processing, perceived effectiveness and quitting intentions among smokers viewing PSAs. A total of 120 smokers viewed sets of four PSAs that varied with respect to features of argument strength (AS) and message sensation value. We observed significant associations of BDNF genotype with central processing, narrative processing, perceived effectiveness of the anti-smoking PSAs and participant quitting intentions; the BDNF Met allele was associated with lower scores on all these measures. Central processing acted as a mediator of the association of genotype with quitting intentions and perceived effectiveness. There was a significant interaction of COMT genotype by AS in the model of narrative processing, such that individuals homozygous for the COMT Val allele reported higher narrative processing in the high-AS condition but not in the low-AS condition. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify genetic factors associated with cognitive processing of anti-smoking PSAs.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Falcone
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Jepson
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Sanborn
authors: J N
authors: JN
authors: Cappella
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Lerman
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Strasser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D012907:Smoking / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase