Genetic dissection of nicotine-related behaviour: a review of animal studies

Nicotine has a broad spectrum of behavioural effects. A considerable body o f data has emerged indicating genetic factors regulate the behavioural effe cts of nicotine. Experimental genetic techniques have been invaluable in ge nerating knowledge on the interelationship of genetic factors and behaviour al responsiveness to nicotine. Three different approaches have been invoked to explore the relationship of genetic factors to response to nicotine. Fi rstly, the classical genetic tool of inbred lines has been exploited to del ineate genetic influences in the effects of nicotine. Secondly, the use of selectively bred lines has been profitably employed to reveal genetic diffe rences in behavioural responses, such as cognition and exploration, to nico tine. These approaches have also provided useful information on the contrib ution of genetic factors influencing nicotinic receptors function. Finally the molecular genetic technique of gene targetting to create mice with null mutations of specific genes in the central nervous system, which is having a tremendous impact in drug addiction research, has also been employed to gain insight into the molecular and cellular basis of nicotine action. Thes e techniques are proving to be invaluable in dissecting the role of differe nt subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on behaviour. This pap er provides a survey of the animal studies that have used the above mention ed techniques to gain insight into genetic basis of the behavioural effects of nicotine. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.