Related Experiment Videos
Relationship between a GABAA alpha 6 Pro385Ser substitution and benzodiazepine sensitivity
1Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Md., USA. nakao@fujita-hu.ac.jp
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|September 15, 1999
Summary
The Pro385Ser GABAA alpha 6 gene variant may influence benzodiazepine sensitivity. This genetic factor was linked to less impairment in eye movements, suggesting a role in conditions like alcoholism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Interindividual variation in benzodiazepine drug sensitivity is linked to behavioral differences and disease vulnerability, such as alcoholism.
- In rats, GABAA alpha 6 receptor variants correlate with alcohol and benzodiazepine sensitivity.
- A specific human GABAA alpha 6 receptor polymorphism (Pro385Ser) has been identified, potentially influencing alcohol sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the human GABAA alpha 6 Pro385Ser polymorphism and sensitivity to benzodiazepines.
- To evaluate the role of this genetic variant in diazepam-induced effects on eye movements.
Main Methods:
- Sensitivity to diazepam was assessed in 51 children of alcoholics.
- Two eye movement measures, peak saccadic velocity and average smooth pursuit gain, were used.
- Association analysis compared Pro385/Ser385 heterozygotes and Pro385/Pro385 homozygotes.
Main Results:
- The Pro385Ser genotype showed an association with reduced diazepam-induced impairment of saccadic velocity.
- No significant association was found between the Pro385Ser genotype and smooth pursuit gain.
Conclusions:
- The GABAA alpha 6 Pro385Ser genotype may contribute to variations in benzodiazepine sensitivity.
- This genetic polymorphism could be relevant to conditions like alcoholism, which are associated with benzodiazepine sensitivity traits.