title: Influence of the A118G Polymorphism of the OPRM1 Gene and Exon 3 VNTR Polymorphism of the DRD4 Gene on Cigarette Craving After Alcohol Administration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current study examined whether the presence of the G allele of the A118G polymorphism of the OPRM1 gene (rs1799971) and the long allele of exon 3 VNTR polymorphism of the DRD4 gene moderate the effect of alcohol administration on urge to smoke. These polymorphisms have been associated with greater alcohol induced-urge to drink. Urge to drink and alcohol consumption increase urge to smoke. Therefore, these polymorphisms may also sensitize urge to smoke after alcohol consumption.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals smoking 10-30 cigarettes per day and reporting heavy drinking were recruited from the community. Caucasians (n = 62), 57.3% male, mean age 39.2, took part in a three-session, within-subjects, repeated-measures design study. Participants were administered a placebo, 0.4 g/kg, or 0.8 g/kg dose of alcohol. A118G genotype, exon 3 VNTR genotype, and urge to smoke (baseline and three times after receiving alcohol) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  G allele carriers showed greater urge to smoke across all assessments. Additionally, a significant interaction indicated that G carriers, compared to homozygotes (AA), evinced a significantly greater increase in urge to smoke after high dose alcohol relative to placebo. The interaction between condition, DRD4 polymorphism, and time was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Presence of G allele of the A118G polymorphism of the OPRM1 gene may lead to greater increases in urge to smoke after a high dose of alcohol. Pharmacotherapies targeted to opiate receptors (eg, naltrexone) may be especially helpful in aiding smoking cessation among G carriers who are heavy drinkers.
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI; william_lechner@brown.edu.
authors.forename: William V
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Lechner
authors.affiliation: Division of Behavioral Genetics, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI;
authors.forename: Valerie S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Knopik
authors.affiliation: Division of Behavioral Genetics, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI;
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: McGeary
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI;
authors.forename: Nichea S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Spillane
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI;
authors.forename: Jennifer W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Tidey
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT;
authors.forename: Sherry A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: McKee
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI; Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI;
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Metrik
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Adam M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Leventhal
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI; Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI;
authors.forename: Damaris J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Rohsenow
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI;
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kahler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D000483:Alleles; D066249:Craving / Q000502:physiology*; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012907:Smoking / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D009271:Naltrexone