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A twin study of genetic and environmental influences on tobacco initiation, regular tobacco use and nicotine dependence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2004

HERMINE H. MAES ,
PATRICK F. SULLIVAN ,
CYNTHIA M. BULIK ,
MICHAEL C. NEALE ,
CAROL A. PRESCOTT ,
LINDON J. EAVES  and
KENNETH S. KENDLER
HERMINE H. MAES
Affiliation:
Departments of Human Genetics and Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
PATRICK F. SULLIVAN
Affiliation:
Departments of Human Genetics and Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
CYNTHIA M. BULIK
Affiliation:
Departments of Human Genetics and Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
MICHAEL C. NEALE
Affiliation:
Departments of Human Genetics and Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
CAROL A. PRESCOTT
Affiliation:
Departments of Human Genetics and Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
LINDON J. EAVES
Affiliation:
Departments of Human Genetics and Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
KENNETH S. KENDLER
Affiliation:
Departments of Human Genetics and Psychiatry, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Abstract

Background. Numerous twin studies have reported significant genetic contributions to the variability of tobacco initiation (TI), while fewer studies have shown similar results for the persistence of smoking behavior, or nicotine dependence (ND). As the development of ND requires regular tobacco use (RTU) which in turn requires TI, a conditional approach is necessary.

Method. We used structural equation modeling of multi-step conditional processes to examine the relationship between genetic and environmental risk factors for TI, RTU and ND. The tobacco variables were assessed by personal interview in female, male and opposite-sex twin pairs from the population-based Virginia Twin Registry.

Results. The results suggested that the liabilities to TI, RTU and ND were correlated. Over 80% of the variance in liability to TI and RTU were shared, and a smaller proportion was shared between RTU and ND. The heritabilities were estimated at 75%, 80% and 60% respectively for TI, RTU and ND. The variance specific to liability to RTU was entirely accounted for by additive genetic factors. Only a modest part of the heritability in liability of ND was due to genetic factors specific to ND. Shared environmental factors were not significant. No sex differences were found for the sources of variation or causal paths, but prevalences were significantly greater in males versus females.

Conclusions. This study showed significant overlap in the contribution of genetic factors to individual differences in TI, RTU and ND. Furthermore, there was evidence for significant additional genetic factors specific to RTU and ND.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 34 , Issue 7 , October 2004 , pp. 1251 - 1261
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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