CHRNA4andANKK1Polymorphisms Influence Smoking-Induced Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Upregulation

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor variation and response to smoking cessation therapies.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with 7-day point prevalence abstinence (abstinence) in randomized clinical trials of smoking cessation therapies in individuals grouped by pharmacotherapy randomization to inform the development of personalized smoking cessation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We quantified as...

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: smoking and Alzheimer's disease revisited.

Epidemiological studies regarding Alzheimer's disease (AD) in smokers currently suggest inconsistent results. The clinicopathological findings also vary as to how AD pathology is affected by smoking behavior. Even though clinicopathological, functional, and epidemiological studies in humans do not present a consistent picture, much of the in vitro data implies that nicotine has neuroprotective ...

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, smoking, and Alzheimer's disease.

Cholinergic dysfunction is one of the cornerstones of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Reviewed here is evidence evaluating relationships between smoking, nicotine exposure, nicotinic cholinergic signaling, and AD. Epidemiological studies initially indicating a lower incidence of AD in smokers now suggest conflicting results. Clinicopathological findings also are mixed as to how smoking beha...

Nicotinic receptor gene variants influence susceptibility to heavy smoking.

Heavy smoking is a strong predictor of nicotine dependence, which is a major impediment to smoking cessation. Although both heavy smoking and nicotine dependence are highly heritable, previous attempts to identify genes influencing these phenotypes have been largely unsuccessful until very recently. We studied 1,452 heavy smokers (defined as smoking at least 30 cigarettes per day for at least 5...

Upregulation and Functionality of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors