Association Between Smoking, Brain Activity, Genes, and ADHD

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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).

Detailed Description
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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.

Official Title
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Smoking, Neurocircuitry and Genes in Adult ADHD

Conditions
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Smoking, Withdrawal Nicotine, ADHD

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Cigarette smoking
* Behavioral: Abstinence


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Smokers with ADHD Cigarette smoking for the last year ADHD diagnosis Nonsmokers with ADHD No history of regularly smoking cigarettes ADHD diagnosis Normative control smokers Cigarette smoking for the last year No history and diagnosis of ADHD 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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Smokers with ADHD<br>Smokers with ADHD participated in one overnight abstinence condition (withdrawal) and one smoking condition (smoking the first cigarette of the morning). | Behavioral: Cigarette smoking<br>* Participants had an fMRI scan during an experimental task consisting of mathematical problems after smoking a cigarette.<br>Behavioral: Abstinence<br>* Participants had an fMRI scan during an experimental task consisting of mathematical problems after smoking abstinence.<br>|
| Nonsmokers with ADHD<br>Nonsmokers with ADHD participated in one condition. | Behavioral: Abstinence<br>* Participants had an fMRI scan during an experimental task consisting of mathematical problems after smoking abstinence.<br>|
| Control smokers<br>Control smokers participated in one overnight abstinence condition (withdrawal) and one smoking condition (smoking the first cigarette of the morning). | Behavioral: Cigarette smoking<br>* Participants had an fMRI scan during an experimental task consisting of mathematical problems after smoking a cigarette.<br>Behavioral: Abstinence<br>* Participants had an fMRI scan during an experimental task consisting of mathematical problems after smoking abstinence.<br>|
| Control nonsmokers<br>Control nonsmokers participated in one condition. | Behavioral: Abstinence<br>* Participants had an fMRI scan during an experimental task consisting of mathematical problems after smoking abstinence.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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. | One MRI session for nonsmokers and two MRI sessions for smokers | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DRD4 Genotype |  | one time blood draw | 
| Salivary Cotinine | Average level of salivary cotinine over all time points (microgram/milliliter) | Once per week for 4 weeks |