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Prochaska JJ, Reyes RS, Schroeder SA, Daniels AS, Doederlein A, Bergeson B. An online survey of tobacco use, intentions to quit, and cessation strategies among people living with bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord 2011: 13: 466-473. © 2011 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objectives: Tobacco use is prevalent among people living with bipolar disorder. We examined tobacco use, attempts to quit, and tobacco-related attitudes and intentions among 685 individuals with bipolar disorder who smoked ≥ 100 cigarettes in their lifetime. Methods: Data were collected online through the website of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, a mood disorder peer-support network. Results: The sample was 67% female, 67% aged 26 to 50, and 89% Caucasian; 87% were current smokers; 92% of current smokers smoked daily, averaging 19 cigarettes/day (SD = 11). The sample began smoking at a mean age of 17 years (SD = 6) and smoked a median of 7 years prior to bipolar disorder diagnosis. Among current smokers, 74% expressed a desire to quit; intent to quit smoking was unrelated to current mental health symptoms [χ2(3) = 5.50, p = 0.139]. Only 33% were advised to quit smoking by a mental health provider, 48% reported smoking to treat their mental illness, and 96% believed being mentally healthy was important for quitting. Ex-smokers (13% of sample) had not smoked for a median of 2.7 years; 48% quit 'cold turkey.' Most ex-smokers (64%) were in poor or fair mental health when they quit smoking. At the time of the survey, however, more ex-smokers described their mental health as in recovery than current smokers [57% versus 40%; χ2(3) = 11.12, p = 0.011]. Conclusions: Most smokers living with bipolar disorder are interested in quitting. The Internet may be a useful cessation tool for recruiting and potentially treating smokers with bipolar disorder who face special challenges when trying to quit and rarely receive cessation treatment from their mental health providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the degree of association of five single nucleotide polymorphisms at the 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) of the human dopamine transporter gene (hSLC6A3; hDAT1) in bipolar affective disorder. Methods: In a case–control design study, the polymorphisms were genotyped for allelic and genotypic distribution between 105 index cases (50 males) with bipolar affective disorder according to DSM IV and 199 unaffected control subjects (120 males). Results: At the 5′-UTR locus of hSLC6A3, no significant allelic or genotypic differences were observed between index cases and controls. However, distinct 5-locus genotypes accumulated in subjects with bipolar affective disorder compared to control subjects (p = 0.029, odds ratio 1.84, 95% confidence interval 1.12–3.02). Conclusions: In conclusion, our data do not provide evidence for a major role of the 5′-UTR of the dopamine transporter gene in bipolar affective disorder. A minor contribution of distinct genotypes may be possible and warrants replication in extended samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Population isolates offer several advantages for those hoping to identify predisposition genes for bipolar disorder (BP). In this review article, the rationale for performing gene mapping studies in this type of population and the results of genetic mapping studies performed to date in population isolates are presented. Methods: This article begins with a brief review of the concepts involved in mapping genes for BP. The concept of populations that show some degree of historical isolation and their special utility for certain types of gene mapping is presented. Methods of statistical analysis particularly relevant for gene mapping of complex diseases like BP are presented. Finally, several BP gene studies conducted to date in several population isolates are reviewed. Results: Genetic mapping studies of BP have occurred thus far in several isolates or sub-isolates, including the Amish population, Costa Ricans, Finnish, and Canadians (in Quebec), and significant linkage scores have been identified in the latter three isolates. Conclusions: Possible greater homogeneity and greater consistency of diagnosis are factors that have been cited in several studies of BP done in isolates to date. Another special advantage of working in certain types of population isolate is their appropriateness for using certain types of association or linkage disequilibrium-based approaches at both the genome screening and fine mapping stages. These tests include mapping by linkage disequilibrium analyses, an approach that allows mapping to occur at the population, rather than the pedigree, level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]