DBH was also significantly associated with Automaticity, Craving, and Tolerance; Automaticity and Tolerance also served as mediators of the DBH-ND relationship.
A haplotype including 6 DBH SNPs predicted abstinence at EOT (OR=1.7, P=0.001) and 6-month follow-up (OR=1.6, P=0.008) in those with high nicotine dependence (n=526) but not in those with low dependence (n=227).
DBH effects were confirmed [odds ratio (OR) = 0.7, P = 0.04] after controlling for associated clinical variables (MD severity, OR = 3.4, P < 0.001; antisocial personality disorder, OR = 2.2, P < 0.001; alcohol dependence, OR = 1.4, P = 0.05; and nicotine dependence, OR = 1.4, P = 0.06).
Recent evidence suggests that a dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) polymorphism may play a role in determining an individual's predisposition to developing nicotine dependence.