title: No difference in striatal dopamine transporter availability between active smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers using [123I]FP-CIT (DaTSCAN) and SPECT.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways play important roles in both the rewarding and conditioning effects of drugs. The dopamine transporter (DAT) is of central importance in regulating dopaminergic neurotransmission and in particular in activating the striatal D2-like receptors. Molecular imaging studies of the relationship between DAT availability/dopamine synthesis capacity and active cigarette smoking have shown conflicting results. Through the collaboration between 13 SPECT centres located in 10 different European countries, a database of FP-CIT-binding in healthy controls was established. We used the database to test the hypothesis that striatal DAT availability is changed in active smokers compared to non-smokers and ex-smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 129 healthy volunteers were included. Subjects were divided into three categories according to past and present tobacco smoking: (1) non-smokers (n = 64), (2) ex-smokers (n = 39) and (3) active smokers (n = 26). For imaging of the DAT availability, we used [123I]FP-CIT (DaTSCAN) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Data were collected in collaboration between 13 SPECT centres located in 10 different European countries. The striatal measure of DAT availability was analyzed in a multiple regression model with age, SPECT centre and smoking as predictor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant difference in DAT availability between the groups of active smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers (p = 0.34). Further, we could not demonstrate a significant association between striatal DAT and the number of cigarettes per day or total lifetime cigarette packages in smokers and ex-smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results do not support the hypothesis that large differences in striatal DAT availability are present in smokers compared to ex-smokers and healthy volunteers with no history of smoking.
authors.affiliation: Neurobiology Research Unit 9201, Rigshospitalet and Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark. gerda@nru.dk.
authors.forename: Gerda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: Gitte Moos
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Knudsen
authors.forename: Peter S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ziebell
authors.forename: Klaus K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Holst
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asenbaum
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Booij
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Darcourt
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dickson
authors.forename: Ozlem L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Kapucu
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nobili
authors.forename: Osama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sabri
authors.forename: Terez
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sera
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tatsch
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tossici-Bolt
authors.forename: Koen Van
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Laere
authors.forename: Thierry Vander
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Borght
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Varrone
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pagani
authors.forename: Lars Hageman
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Pinborg