Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the Neurexin 3 gene
(NRXN3) polymorphisms in the rs 221473, rs 221497, rs1004212 and
rs11624704 regions in relation to nicotine use disorder (NUD) in the
Turkish population.
Method: Power analysis indicated that the NUD group and the
control group of this study should each comprise 200 participants in
the 18-65 year age range. The NUD group consisted of individuals
without a psychiatric first axis disorder except for NUD, mental
retardation, past head trauma or a neurological disorder, who had
smoked minimally10 cigarettes per day for at least 1 year. The control
group included individuals without a serious chronic physical illness, a
previous psychiatric disorder or mental retardation and who responded
“no” to the question “have you ever smoked?” A sociodemographic
questionnaire and the Fageström nicotine dependence scale (FNDS) for
the NUD group were utilized. Venous blood samples of all participants
were taken into tubes containing EDTA (ethylene daimine tetra
acetic acid) for DNA extraction. Duplex fluorescence melting curve
analysis was used for genotype detection and differentiation.
Results: The individuals carrying the AC allele and the AG allele at the
rs11624704 and the rs1004212 regions respectively had a high risk of
being addicted to cigarettes.
Conclusion: This is first study investigating the relationship of the
NRXN3 gene and nicotine addiction in the Turkish population. It was
observed that the risk of NUD in the Turkish population may be related
to the Neurexin gene.