title: Childhood adversity, serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) genotype, and risk for cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence in alcohol dependent adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined the extent to which cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence in adults with alcohol dependence (AD) are associated with adverse childhood experiences. Gender, social support, and an allelic variant in the gene encoding the serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) were examined as moderators of this relationship.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism - Version II (SSAGA-II) was used to assess DSM-IV diagnoses and cigarette smoking characteristics as well as traumatic life events and social support during childhood in 256 AD men (n=149) and women (n=107).
  
  
  RESULTS
  An increase in number of adverse childhood events was associated with heightened risk of cigarette use and nicotine dependence. 5-HTTLPR genotype, gender, and social support did not significantly moderate the relationships among childhood adversity and ever-smoking or nicotine dependence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results extend previous findings to suggest that childhood adversity is strongly related to risk for ever-smoking and nicotine dependence in AD individuals. Additional research is needed to examine other potential genetic and environmental moderators and mediators of the relationships among smoking, alcohol use, and childhood trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
authors.forename: Carolyn J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Mingione
authors.forename: Jaimee L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Heffner
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Blom
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Anthenelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011203:Poverty; D012306:Risk; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence
chemical_list: C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins