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Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Spectral Confocal Imaging of Fluorescently tagged Nicotinic Receptors in Knock-in Mice with Chronic Nicotine Administration
Published on: February 10, 2012
Elucidating the role of genetic factors in smoking behavior and nicotine dependence
Caryn Lerman1, Wade Berrettini
1Department of Psychiatry and Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Health Sciences, 3535 Market Street, Suite 1400, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. clerman@mail.med.upenn.edu
Abstract:
Despite over a decade of intensive tobacco control efforts, a substantial proportion of the world's population continues to smoke. With advances in molecular biology and genomics technology, attention is focusing on the genetic basis of addiction to nicotine. The hope is that by better understanding the biology of nicotine addiction, novel prevention and cessation strategies can be developed and targeted to individuals most likely to benefit. This article provides an overview of currently available data from genetics research on smoking behavior and discusses study design issues to be addressed to make progress in this line of research.
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