Two SNPs in NRXN1 and two in CHRNA5 were associated with cigarette consumption, while rs10865246/C (NRXN1) was associated with high nicotine addiction.
Recent research has implicated that mutations in the neurexin-1 (NRXN1) gene on chromosome 2p16.3 might play a role in schizophrenia, autism, and nicotine dependence.
Research has implicated mutations in the gene for neurexin-1 (NRXN1) in a variety of conditions including autism, schizophrenia, and nicotine dependence.
NRXN1 is highly expressed in brain and has been shown recently to be associated with ASD, schizophrenia, cognitive and behavioral abnormalities, and alcohol and nicotine dependence.
Based on our findings that NRXN1 has significant association with ND in two independent samples, recent findings that NRXN1 plays an important role in synaptic development, and the previous report of association, we conclude that this gene represents a strong candidate for involvement in the etiology of ND.
Our study nominates several novel genes, such as Neurexin 1 (NRXN1), in the development of nicotine dependence while also identifying a known candidate gene, the beta3 nicotinic cholinergic receptor.