Prevalence of Some Genetic Risk Factors for Nicotine Dependence in Ukraine

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Tobacco smoking is a significant risk factor for numerous diseases.
• Nicotine dependence arises from a complex interplay of environmental, lifestyle, psycho-emotional, and genetic factors.
• Impulsivity is a key risk factor for substance use disorders, including nicotine dependence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate polymorphic variants in genes associated with nicotine dependence and impulsivity in the Ukraine population.
• To compare genotype frequencies in Ukrainians with other European populations and major ethnic groups.

Main Methods:

• Genotype frequencies were determined for 171 Ukraine residents.
• Polymorphisms analyzed included CYP2A6, DNMT3B, DRD2, HTR2A, COMT, BDNF, GABRA2, CHRNA5, and DAT1.
• Data were compared with existing European and ethnic group data.

Main Results:

• Genotype frequencies for all studied gene loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the Ukrainian population.
• The observed genotype frequencies in Ukrainians correspond with those found in other European populations.
• This suggests a similar genetic influence on nicotine dependence across these populations.

Conclusions:

• The genetic architecture of nicotine dependence in Ukraine appears similar to that of other European populations.
• The studied gene polymorphisms (CYP2A6, DNMT3B, DRD2, HTR2A, COMT, BDNF, GABRA2, CHRNA5, DAT1) may play a comparable role in nicotine dependence.
• Larger sample sizes are recommended for future studies to confirm the effect size of these polymorphisms.