Association Between Smoking, Brain Activity, Genes, and ADHD

University of California, Irvine89 enrolled

Overview

The study investigated the underlying mechanisms of smoking in young adults by examining the associations between smoking, brain activity, dopamine genes, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Four groups of young adults were recruited: (1) smokers with ADHD; (2) nonsmokers with ADHD; (3) normative control smokers; and (4) normative control nonsmokers. Smoking was assessed via questionnaires and salivary cotinine levels. Brain activity was examined via functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Each nonsmoker underwent an fMRI scan during an experimental task consisting of mathematical problems. Smokers underwent two fMRI scans during similar experimental tasks under the following two conditions: (1) after smoking a cigarette and (2) after overnight abstinence. The association between the DRD4-7 repeat allele and smoking was explored.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Smoking Withdrawal Nicotine ADHD

Interventions

Cigarette smokingBEHAVIORAL

Participants had an fMRI scan during an experimental task consisting of mathematical problems after smoking a cigarette.

AbstinenceBEHAVIORAL

Participants had an fMRI scan during an experimental task consisting of mathematical problems after smoking abstinence.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Smokers with ADHD * Cigarette smoking for the last year * ADHD diagnosis 2. Nonsmokers with ADHD * No history of regularly smoking cigarettes * ADHD diagnosis 3. Normative control smokers * Cigarette smoking for the last year * No history and diagnosis of ADHD 4. Normative control nonsmokers * No history of regularly smoking cigarettes * No history and diagnosis of ADHD Exclusion Criteria: * Children under the age of 18 * Adults above the age of 45 * Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant * Any major medical illness * Any mental disorders that require medication (except stimulant medication) * Any contraindications to fMRI scanning * Not speaking English

Locations (1)

2500 Red Hill Avenue

Santa Ana, California, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Brain Activity

BOLD z-score of smokers with ADHD after abstinence/smoking a cigarette, control smokers after abstinence/smoking a cigarette, nonsmokers with ADHD, and control nonsmokers. All participants performed a mathematical task in the MRI scanner. Higher BOLD z-scores indicate greater brain activation.

Time frame: One MRI session for nonsmokers and two MRI sessions for smokers

Secondary Outcomes

DRD4 Genotype

Time frame: one time blood draw

Salivary Cotinine

Average level of salivary cotinine over all time points (microgram/milliliter)

Time frame: Once per week for 4 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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