Study of Genetic Factors Influencing Smoking Behaviors
Author Information
Author(s): Caporaso Neil, Gu Fangyi, Chatterjee Nilanjan, Sheng-Chih Jin, Yu Kai, Yeager Meredith, Chen Constance, Jacobs Kevin, Wheeler William, Landi Maria Teresa, Ziegler Regina G., Hunter David J., Chanock Stephen, Hankinson Susan, Kraft Peter, Bergen Andrew W.
Primary Institution: Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
Hypothesis
The study investigates the contribution of common genetic variation to established smoking behaviors.
Conclusion
The study found suggestive associations between certain genetic variants and smoking behaviors, but did not achieve genome-wide significance.
Supporting Evidence
- None of the SNPs achieved genome-wide significance in any combined analysis.
- Multiple SNPs in the chr15q25.1 region were associated with cigarettes per day.
- The study provides independent replication of the association between the chr15q25.1 region and smoking intensity.
Takeaway
Scientists looked at how our genes might affect how we smoke, but they didn't find strong proof that any one gene is the main reason people smoke.
Methodology
The study analyzed data from two genome-wide association studies (GWAS) involving 2,329 men and 2,282 women, focusing on various smoking behaviors.
Potential Biases
The study's sample was limited to individuals of European ancestry, which may not represent other populations.
Limitations
The study did not find genome-wide significant associations, suggesting that common variants have at most a modest influence on smoking behavior.
Participant Demographics
The participants included 2,329 men from the PLCO Trial and 2,282 women from the Nurses' Health Study, all of self-reported European ancestry.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<10−5
Statistical Significance
p<10−7
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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