Effect of abstinence challenge on brain function and cognition in smokers differs by COMT genotype.

ABSTRACT: The val allele of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) val(158)met polymorphism has been linked with nicotine dependence and with cognitive performance in healthy volunteers. We tested the hypothesis that the val allele is a risk factor for altered brain function and cognition during nicotine abstinence as compared with the normal smoking state. Chronic smokers (n=33) were genotyped prospectively for the COMT polymorphism for balanced selection of met/met, val/met and val/val groups. A visual N-back working memory task was performed during two separate blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging sessions in counterbalanced order: (1) smoking as usual, and (2)>or=14 h confirmed abstinence. Significant genotype by session interactions were observed for BOLD s

SUBMITTER: Loughead J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3896978 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature