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Genetic factors influence nicotine withdrawal symptoms and make it difficult for some smokers to quit.Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have uncovered evidence linking genetic influences to nicotine withdrawal symptoms that commonly occur when a smoker attempts to quit. Their findings also indicate that genetic factors both related and unrelated to nicotine withdrawal may affect attempts to quit smoking. The team, led by Hong Xian, Ph.D., research assistant professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine and researcher at the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, found that genetic influences accounted for 54 percent of failures to quit smoking, and that about one-third of such failures could be attributed to the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

From the 2000 debate at WUSTL, then Gov. Bush answers a question while V.P. Gore looks on.Studying twins, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found a link between attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cigarette smoking. There are two major subgroups of children with ADHD. One group combines attention problems with hyperactivity and impulsivity. The other principle type of ADHD involves only attention problems. While looking for genetic factors that might be related to these two subtypes of ADHD, the research team, led by Richard D. Todd, M.D., Ph.D., the Blanche F. Ittelson Professor and director of the William Greenleaf Eliot Division of Child Psychiatry, found that children who suffer from the form of ADHD that includes only attention problems are less likely to receive treatment for the disorder and much more likely to smoke cigarettes. The researchers believe the nicotine in cigarettes may help these children improve their ability to pay attention.