Neural correlates of attentional bias for smoking cues: modulation by variance in the dopamine transporter gene.

ABSTRACT: Cigarette-dependent smokers automatically and involuntarily orient attention toward smoking cues (SCs). This attentional bias is clinically significant, as it may contribute to relapse. Thus, identifying neural and genetic correlates of attentional bias is critical for improving interventions. Our previous studies show that the dopamine transporter (DAT) SLC6A3 genotype exerts profound effects on limbic responses to SCs. One potential mechanism underlying these effects is greater attentional bias for SCs. Here, we explored associations between attentional bias for SCs and neural responses to SCs among 'sated' smokers genotyped for the SLC6A3 polymorphism. Pseudo-continuous arterial spin-labeled perfusion functional magnetic resonance imaging images were acquired during SC exposure in 35 sm

SUBMITTER: Wetherill RR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4052978 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature