Domestic researchers have found a link between a certain type of micro-RNAs found in the human brain and nicotine addiction.

A team led by Im Heh-in at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) said on Wednesday that it made the assessment after a comprehensive analysis of genes and micro-RNAs in the brains of mice addicted to nicotine.

The researchers said they found significant changes in genes closely associated with nicotine addiction in the brains of mice addicted to nicotine, and that the changes were caused by micro-RNAs.

The researchers said that regulating the genes by increasing micro-RNAs will make it easier to treat nicotine addiction.

The findings were published in the August 11 edition of Scientific Reports.