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Population-based case-control study of DRD2 gene polymorphisms and alcoholism
L V K S Bhaskar1, K Thangaraj, A L Non
1Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India.
Journal of Addictive Diseases
|October 7, 2010
Summary
Genetic variations in the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene are linked to alcoholism vulnerability. Specific DRD2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showed an association with alcoholism in an Indian population.
Area of Science:
- Neurogenetics
- Psychiatric Genetics
- Human Genetics
Background:
- Genetic factors contribute to alcoholism vulnerability.
- Dopamine pathways are crucial for reward and reinforcement, with the D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) gene being a key candidate.
- Previous research suggests a link between DRD2 gene variations and alcoholism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between DRD2 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and alcoholism.
- To explore the role of DRD2 gene variants in the susceptibility to alcoholism within the Kota population of South India.
Main Methods:
- Alcohol use was assessed in 196 individuals.
- Six DRD2 SNPs were genotyped in 81 individuals with alcoholism and 151 controls.
- Association analyses were performed using dominant, recessive, and additive models.
- Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype analyses were conducted.
Main Results:
- The additive model revealed a significant association between alcoholism and three DRD2 loci (rs1116313, TaqID, and rs2734835).
- Five of the six studied polymorphisms were in strong linkage disequilibrium, forming a single haplotype block.
- Haplotype analysis using all six SNPs showed a significant global association (P = .033) after adjusting for age.
Conclusions:
- These findings support the role of dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms in alcoholism.
- The study highlights the potential importance of specific DRD2 SNPs and their haplotypes in alcoholism susceptibility.
- Further research in diverse populations is recommended to validate these results.
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