Genes might help some smokers kick the habit

Updated:

Melissa's HealthworksMore>>
Five ways to avoid colon cancer and heart disease
Five ways to avoid colon cancer and heart disease
Updated: Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:45:44 GMT
Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer. It's the second deadliest disease, but it's entirely preventable! A local man has been fighting it for years.
Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer. It's the second deadliest disease, but it's entirely preventable! A local man has been fighting it for years.
Fiance Insists Bride-To-Be Get Implants
Fiance Insists Bride-To-Be Get Implants
Updated: Monday, May 20 2013 9:57 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:57:08 GMT
A local couple met on the Fourth of July several years ago. Now that they're planning their wedding, they're trying to re-spark the fireworks. How they plan to do that may surprise you, and it all has
A local couple met on the Fourth of July several years ago. Now that they're planning their wedding, they're trying to re-spark the fireworks. How they plan to do that may surprise you, and it all has
Children with autism learn life's skills on ice
Children with autism learn life's skills on ice
Updated: Friday, May 17 2013 2:36 PM EDT2013-05-17 18:36:10 GMT
Something magical is happening on the ice at Sugar Land Ice and Sports Arena.
Something magical is happening on the ice at Sugar Land Ice and Sports Arena. A group of children with autism, and others with chromosomal and mental disorders, is learning social interaction, physical endurance, and self assurance in the ice rink.
Softening the lines of 'smoker's lips'
Softening the lines of 'smoker's lips'
Updated: Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:35 AM EDT2013-05-15 15:35:53 GMT
Studies show that people who smoke are five times more likely to have deep wrinkles and often age 20 years earlier than non-smokers.
Studies show that people who smoke are five times more likely to have deep wrinkles and often age 20 years earlier than non-smokers.
People turn to plastic surgery because of social media photo sharing
People turn to plastic surgery because of social media photo sharing
Updated: Tuesday, May 14 2013 1:46 PM EDT2013-05-14 17:46:30 GMT
Plastic surgeons all across the country were recently surveyed about plastic surgery trends. The results showed a staggering 31 percent increase in requests for surgery because of social media photo sharing.
Plastic surgeons all across the country were recently surveyed about plastic surgery trends. The results showed a staggering 31 percent increase in requests for surgery because of social media photo sharing.
Battery-operated device pumps life into Brothers from Porter
Battery-operated device pumps life into Brothers from Porter
Updated: Monday, May 6 2013 11:32 AM EDT2013-05-06 15:32:50 GMT
A pair of brothers from the Texas town of Porter are like most teens. They like to play video games, watch TV, hang out with their pets, but they have a lot more responsibilities and burdens than most.
A pair of brothers from the Texas town of Porter are like most teens. They like to play video games, watch TV, hang out with their pets, but they have a lot more responsibilities and burdens than most. Both of them rely on a heart pump to keep them alive.
Houston-Area Family Gains Diabetic Alert Dog
Houston-Area Family Gains Diabetic Alert Dog
We were thrilled when we had the opportunity to make the announcement on air at FOX 26 that a diabetic alert dog could be a very real possibility for a local family in need. It all started with the dream of the owners of...
We were thrilled when we had the opportunity to make the announcement on air at FOX 26 that a diabetic alert dog could be a very real possibility for a local family in need. It all started with the dream of the owners of...
Woman Says Breast Implants Saved Her Life
Woman Says Breast Implants Saved Her Life
Only on FOX: A young Brazilian woman, who lives in Kingwood, is comfortable having her image flashed across TV screens and on magazine covers.
Only on FOX: A young Brazilian woman, who lives in Kingwood, is comfortable having her image flashed across TV screens and on magazine covers.
Golf Tournament Benefits Children at Risk
Golf Tournament Benefits Children at Risk
The 11th Annual Children at Risk Golf Classic, hosted by FOX 26 anchor Melissa Wilson, was a huge success! The event took place at The Woodlands Country Club on the tournament course.
The 11th Annual Children at Risk Golf Classic, hosted by FOX 26 anchor Melissa Wilson, was a huge success! The event took place at The Woodlands Country Club on the tournament course.
'Heights of Health' Alternative Medicine
'Heights of Health' Alternative Medicine
This FOX 26 Morning News Extra special focuses on everything alternative health. INSIDE: Watch all 9 segments.
This FOX 26 Morning News Extra special focuses on everything alternative health. INSIDE: Watch all 9 segments.

HealthMore>>
Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction
Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction
Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.
Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.
U.S. teen birth rate plummets
U.S. teen birth rate plummets
Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.
Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.
Too few kids use fast-food calorie info
Too few kids use fast-food calorie info
Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.
Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.
American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress
American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress
The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.
The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.
Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters
Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters
In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.
In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.
More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist
More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist
Over the last decade, the number of American children who die each year awaiting an organ donation dropped by more than half, new research reveals. And increasing numbers of children are receiving donor organs.
Over the last decade, the number of American children who die each year awaiting an organ donation dropped by more than half, new research reveals. And increasing numbers of children are receiving donor organs.
Americans still making unhealthy choices
Americans still making unhealthy choices
The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.
The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.
Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health
Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health
The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.
The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.
Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens
Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens
When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study.
When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study.
Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma
Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma
Urban elementary school children with poorly controlled asthma are likely to experience sleep problems and suffer academically, new research indicates.
Urban elementary school children with poorly controlled asthma are likely to experience sleep problems and suffer academically, new research indicates.

THURSDAY, May 31 (HealthDay News) -- Smokers' genes may help predict whether they'll respond to drug treatments for nicotine addiction, a new study indicates.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 6,000 smokers in community-based studies and a clinical treatment study and found that the same gene variations that make it difficult to stop smoking also increase the chances that heavy smokers will respond to nicotine-replacement therapy and drugs that reduce the craving for nicotine.

"People with the high-risk genetic markers smoked an average of two years longer than those without these high-risk genes, and they were less likely to quit smoking without medication," study first author Dr. Li-Shiun Chen, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Washington University of Medicine in St. Louis, said in a university news release.

"The same gene variants can predict a person's response to smoking-cessation medication, and those with the high-risk genes are more likely to respond to the medication," Chen said.

In the clinical treatment study, smokers with the high-risk variants were three times more likely than those without the variants to respond to treatments such as nicotine gum, nicotine patches, the antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin is one brand) and other drugs used to help people stop smoking.

The findings, published online May 30 in the American Journal of Psychiatry, suggest it may eventually be possible to analyze smokers' genes in order to predict if they'll benefit from drug treatments for nicotine addiction.

"Smokers whose genetic makeup puts them at the greatest risk for heavy smoking, nicotine addiction and problems kicking the habit also appear to be the same people who respond most robustly to pharmacologic therapy for smoking cessation," senior investigator Dr. Laura Jean Bierut, a professor of psychiatry, said in the news release.

The gene variants in this study aren't the only ones involved in whether a person smokes, becomes addicted or has difficulty quitting, but they are an important part of the overall nicotine-addiction puzzle, the researchers said.

"These variants make a very modest contribution to the development of nicotine addiction, but they have a much greater effect on the response to treatment," Bierut said. "That's a huge finding."

More information

The American Cancer Society offers a guide to quitting smoking.

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.

Genes might help some smokers kick the habit - Houston weather, traffic, news | FOX 26 | MyFoxHouston

Genes might help some smokers kick the habit

Melissa's HealthworksMore>>

HealthMore>>