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The dopamine D2 receptor mediates approach-avoidance tendencies in smokers
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 05:37 authored by Armin Zlomuzica, Alla Machulska, Susanna Roberts, Michael von Glischinski, Mike Rinck, Kathryn LesterKathryn Lester, Thalia C Eley, Jurgen MargrafDopamine D2 receptors (DRD2) have been strongly implicated in reward processing of natural stimuli and drugs. By using the Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT), we recently demonstrated that smokers show an increased approach bias toward smoking-related cues but not toward naturally-rewarding stimuli. Here we examined the contribution of the DRD2 Taq1B polymorphism to smokers’ and non-smokers’ responsivity toward smoking versus naturally-rewarding stimuli in the AAT. Smokers carrying the minor B1 allele of the DRD2 Taq1B polymorphism showed reduced approach behavior for food-related pictures compared to non-smokers with the same allele. In the group of smokers, a higher approach-bias toward smoking-related compared to food-related pictures was found in carriers of the B1 allele. This pattern was not evident in smokers homozygous for the B2 allele. Additionally, smokers with the B1 allele reported fewer attempts to quit smoking relative to smokers homozygous for the B2 allele. This is the first study demonstrating that behavioral shifts in response to smoking relative to natural rewards in smokers are mediated by the DRD2 Taq1B polymorphism. Our results indicate a reduced natural-reward brain reactivity in smokers with a genetically determined decrease in dopaminergic activity (i.e., reduction of DRD2 availability). It remains to be determined whether this pattern might be related to a different outcome after psychological cessation interventions, i.e. AAT modification paradigms, in smokers.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical NeuroscienceISSN
0940-1334Publisher
Springer VerlagExternal DOI
Issue
3Volume
268Page range
261-268Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2017-06-23First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-03-31First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2017-06-23Usage metrics
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