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Norepinephrine transporter gene polymorphism is not associated with susceptibility to alcohol dependence
Jerzy Samochowiec1, Jolanta Kucharska-Mazur, Ryszard Kaminski
1Department of Psychiatry, Pomeranian Academy of Medicine, ul. Broniewskiego 26, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland. samoj@sci.pam.szczecin.pl
Psychiatry Research
|October 11, 2002
Summary
This study investigated the norepinephrine transporter (NET) gene variants in relation to alcohol dependence. Researchers found no significant association between a specific NET gene mutation and susceptibility to alcoholism or severe withdrawal symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Monoamine neurotransmission is crucial in conditions like alcoholism, mood disorders, and schizophrenia.
- The murine norepinephrine transporter (NET) gene is located on chromosome 8, a region linked to ethanol sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if norepinephrine transporter (NET) gene variants increase susceptibility to alcohol dependence.
- To investigate the role of NET gene variants in severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping analysis of a silent G1287A mutation in the NET gene.
- Comparison of allele and genotype frequencies between 157 alcoholics and 185 healthy controls.
- Subgroup analysis including patients with severe withdrawal, early onset alcoholism, and positive family history.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in NET gene G1287A allele or genotype distribution were observed between alcoholics and controls.
- Subgroup analyses in severe withdrawal, early onset, and familial alcoholism cases also yielded no significant associations.
- The NET gene polymorphism in exon 9 does not appear to confer susceptibility to alcoholism or severe alcohol withdrawal.
Conclusions:
- The studied NET gene polymorphism is unlikely to be a significant genetic factor in alcohol dependence.
- Further research may explore other genetic or environmental factors contributing to alcoholism susceptibility.
- This finding helps refine our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of alcohol use disorders.