RATIONALE: 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. OBJECTIVES: 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 forCHRNA3 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.
RCT Entities:
RATIONALE: 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. OBJECTIVES: 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 CHRNA3rs1051730 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.
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