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Smoking, dopamine transporter, and hand tremor
Chun-Yi Lin1, Chung-Hsin Yeh, Tien-Tien Chang
1Graduate School of Biotechnology, Hungkuang University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Clinical Nuclear Medicine
|December 14, 2011
Summary
Smoking a higher number of cigarettes per day is linked to reduced dopamine transporter availability in the brain and increased hand tremor frequency. This study reveals a dose-response relationship between smoking and neurological effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Radiopharmacology
Background:
- Cigarette smoking is a widespread habit with known adverse health effects.
- The impact of smoking on the central nervous system, particularly dopamine transporter (DAT) availability and motor function, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between smoking dosage and dopamine transporter availability in the striatum using Tc-99m TRODAT SPECT.
- To assess the correlation between smoking dosage and the frequency of hand tremor.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, cross-sectional study involving 23 healthy nonsmokers and 37 current smokers.
- Participants underwent Tc-99m TRODAT SPECT, brain CT, thyroid function tests, and tremor measurements.
- Neurologic examinations were performed to assess motor function.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in striatal Tc-99m TRODAT specific uptake ratio (SUR) and hand tremor frequency were observed across smoking groups (nonsmokers, <1 pack/day, ≥1 pack/day).
- A significant negative correlation was found between smoking grade and striatal SUR (β = -0.45, P < 0.001).
- Smoking grade significantly predicted hand tremor frequency in both rest and arm-extended states (β = 14.70, P < 0.001; β = 15.37, P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- A clear dose-response relationship exists between the number of cigarettes smoked daily and reduced striatal dopamine transporter binding.
- Increased hand tremor frequency is also dose-dependently associated with smoking.
- These findings highlight the detrimental effects of smoking on both central and peripheral nervous systems.
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