Ghada Radwan

Citation:

Radwan, G. N., M. Setouhy, M. K. Mohamed, M. A. Hamid, E. Israel, S. A. Azem, O. Kamel, and C. A. Loffredo, DRD2/ANKK1, , 2007.

Abstract:

al., 1996; Wu, Hudmon, Detry, Chamberlain, &
Spitz, 2000), and with length of previous abstinence
among current smokers (Comings et al., 1996; Spitz
et al., 1998). However, it is not accepted universally
that DRD2 modulates smoking behavior, given that
some studies found no association (Bierut et al.,
2000; Johnstone et al., 2004; Singleton et al., 1998).
Two recent meta-analyses reported contradictory
findings. Li, Ma, and Beuten (2004) reported higher
prevalence of the A1 allele in smokers than in
nonsmokers, and Munafo` et al. (2004) found no
effect of DRD2 on any measures of smoking.
However, most studies were carried out in Whites,
and Munafo` et al. (2004) recommended further
investigation of molecular mechanisms of tobacco
dependence in other populations.
In response to the need for such information, we
extended our previous study of smoking behavior
among Egyptian male smokers to search for possible
influences of genetic variations in DRD2. Egypt has
the highest cigarette consumption rate in the Middle
East and North Africa region. In 1997, smoking
prevalence among adults was estimated to be 43.4%
in males and 4.7% in females (Nassar, 2003). This is
the first study in Egypt to investigate the possible
associations of DRD2 genotypes with tobacco use
and addiction