Individual differences in sensitivity to nicotine: implications for genetic research on nicotine dependence

Recent evidence suggests that cigarette smoking has a heritability index around 53%. While related research on underlying mechanisms also supports the idea that genetic factors contribute to nicotine dependence--as well as to cofactors such as substance use and mood disorders--the nature of the behavioral traits and biological capacity for reinforcement that constitutes vulnerability to nicotine dependence is not well understood. The present review explores the problem of why some people become highly nicotine dependent, others develop a pattern of occasional use, and still others avoid the drug entirely despite extensive exposure and widespread experimentation with tobacco in the population. Recent research--both infrahuman and human--suggests that vulnerability to nicotine dependence is related to high initial sensitivity to nicotine and that the development of tolerance is more rapid and self-administration more extensive in such individuals. Relevant findings from neuroscience and biobehavioral research are reviewed in order to identify variables and methodologies that might improve the reliability and validity of behavioral and molecular genetic studies on cigarette smoking. The integration of research in these areas may lead to new insights in the understanding of nicotine dependence as well as to improved techniques for prevention and treatment.