Association between the DRD2 gene Taq1A (C32806T) polymorphism and alcohol consumption in social drinkers

An association between the DRD2 Taq1A (C32806T) polymorphism and social alcohol consumption in the opposite direction to that reported for alcoholism has recently been reported in a male Finnish sample. We attempted to replicate these findings in two independent samples, and extend on previous work by including female participants. The DRD2 A1 allele was significantly associated with reduced alcohol consumption in sample one (P=0.004) and sample two (P=0.015). In sample two there was a significant genotype x sex interaction (P=0.016), with the association of the A1 allele and reduced alcohol consumption significant in men only. This interaction was marginally significant (P=0.042) in a meta-analysis of combined data from both samples, and the main effect of genotype highly significant (P<0.001). Age at time of data collection and cigarette consumption were entered as covariates in all analyses. These results replicate recent previous findings and suggest a possibility that this association may exist in men only, or be stronger in men.