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Researchers Locate Genetic Link for Nicotine Dependence Among African Americans

Scientists at the University of Virginia Health System have identified, for the first time ever, several genetic regions that are likely to carry the genes for nicotine dependence (ND) in an African American population. This is the first genome-wide study of such linkage and included the largest group of African Americans to participate in this type of linkage study. Until this study, participants in research to find genetic links to ND have been primarily of European origin.