title: The effect of nicotine on sensorimotor gating is modulated by a CHRNA3 polymorphism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response, a measure of sensorimotor gating, can be enhanced by nicotine. Moreover, the TT genotype of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α3-subunit (CHRNA3) rs1051730 polymorphism has previously been associated with diminished PPI and nicotine dependence.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We tested whether this CHRNA3 polymorphism also modulates the nicotine-induced enhancement of PPI.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed the effect of nicotine on PPI, startle reactivity, and habituation in 52 healthy nonsmoking volunteers genotyped for CHRNA3 rs1051730 in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, within-subjects design. Additionally, cotinine plasma levels were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nicotine significantly enhanced PPI in TT homozygotes only and tended to worsen PPI in TC and CC carriers. Additionally, nicotine significantly reduced startle habituation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present findings imply that the effect of nicotine on sensorimotor gating is modulated by nAChR α3-subunits. Thus, genetic variation in nicotinic receptor genes might be an important connecting link between early attentional processes and smoking behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. nadine.petrovsky@uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Petrovsky
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ettinger
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.forename: Rainald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mössner
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wolfsgruber
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dahmen
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Boris B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Quednow
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000235:genetics*; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D055139:Sensory Gating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic