DEPRESSION AND SELF-MEDICATION WITH NICOTINE - THE MODIFYING INFLUENCE OF THE DOPAMINE-D4 RECEPTOR GENE

This study evaluated whether there are genetic subgroups of depressed individuals who are more or less predisposed to engage in self-medicat ion smoking practices. Smokers (N = 231) completed self-report questio nnaires of depression and smoking practices and were genotyped for the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene. A significant interaction (DRD4 Gen otype x Depression) was found for stimulation smoking and negative-aff ect reduction smoking. Specifically, these smoking practices were sign ificantly heightened in depressed smokers homozygous for the short all eles of DRD4 but not in those heterozygous or homozygous for the long alleles of DRD4. These preliminary results suggest that the rewarding effects of smoking and the beneficial effects of nicotine replacement therapy for depressed smokers may depend, in part, on genetic factors involved in dopamine transmission.