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EJNMMI Research
Published in: EJNMMI Research 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Original research

No difference in striatal dopamine transporter availability between active smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers using [123I]FP-CIT (DaTSCAN) and SPECT

Authors: Gerda Thomsen, Gitte Moos Knudsen, Peter S Jensen, Morten Ziebell, Klaus K Holst, Susanne Asenbaum, Jan Booij, Jacques Darcourt, John C Dickson, Özlem L Kapucu, Flavio Nobili, Osama Sabri, Terez Sera, Klaus Tatsch, Livia Tossici-Bolt, Koen Van Laere, Thierry Vander Borght, Andrea Varrone, Marco Pagani, Lars Hageman Pinborg

Published in: EJNMMI Research | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

Mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways play important roles in both the rewarding and conditioning effects of drugs. The dopamine transporter (DAT) is of central importance in regulating dopaminergic neurotransmission and in particular in activating the striatal D2-like receptors. Molecular imaging studies of the relationship between DAT availability/dopamine synthesis capacity and active cigarette smoking have shown conflicting results. Through the collaboration between 13 SPECT centres located in 10 different European countries, a database of FP-CIT-binding in healthy controls was established. We used the database to test the hypothesis that striatal DAT availability is changed in active smokers compared to non-smokers and ex-smokers.

Methods

A total of 129 healthy volunteers were included. Subjects were divided into three categories according to past and present tobacco smoking: (1) non-smokers (n = 64), (2) ex-smokers (n = 39) and (3) active smokers (n = 26). For imaging of the DAT availability, we used [123I]FP-CIT (DaTSCAN) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Data were collected in collaboration between 13 SPECT centres located in 10 different European countries. The striatal measure of DAT availability was analyzed in a multiple regression model with age, SPECT centre and smoking as predictor.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in DAT availability between the groups of active smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers (p = 0.34). Further, we could not demonstrate a significant association between striatal DAT and the number of cigarettes per day or total lifetime cigarette packages in smokers and ex-smokers.

Conclusion

Our results do not support the hypothesis that large differences in striatal DAT availability are present in smokers compared to ex-smokers and healthy volunteers with no history of smoking.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
No difference in striatal dopamine transporter availability between active smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers using [123I]FP-CIT (DaTSCAN) and SPECT
Authors
Gerda Thomsen
Gitte Moos Knudsen
Peter S Jensen
Morten Ziebell
Klaus K Holst
Susanne Asenbaum
Jan Booij
Jacques Darcourt
John C Dickson
Özlem L Kapucu
Flavio Nobili
Osama Sabri
Terez Sera
Klaus Tatsch
Livia Tossici-Bolt
Koen Van Laere
Thierry Vander Borght
Andrea Varrone
Marco Pagani
Lars Hageman Pinborg
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
EJNMMI Research / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 2191-219X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/2191-219X-3-39

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