RETN gene polymorphisms interact with alcohol dependence in association with depression

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Psychiatry
• Addiction Medicine
• Molecular Psychiatry

Background:

• Alcohol dependence is linked to a higher risk of depression.
• Genetic factors influence the manifestation of depressive symptoms.
• Previous research indicates a connection between genetic variations and alcohol dependence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interaction between RETN gene polymorphisms (rs1477341, rs3745368) and alcohol dependence.
• To examine the impact of this interaction on depressive symptoms in adult males during acute alcohol withdrawal.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 429 adult males.
• Assessed alcohol dependence using the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and depression using the 20-item Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS).
• Employed hierarchical regression and Region of Significance (ROS) tests within diathesis-stress models to analyze gene-environment interactions.

Main Results:

• A significant positive association was found between MAST and SDS scores (r=0.23, p<0.01).
• A significant interaction (β=-0.14, p<0.05) between genotype and alcohol dependence was observed under a strong diathesis-stress model.
• Individuals carrying the A allele of RETN rs1477341 showed increased susceptibility to depression symptoms when alcohol dependence was high.

Conclusions:

• The A allele of RETN rs1477341 may be associated with a higher susceptibility to depression symptoms in alcohol-dependent males during acute withdrawal.
• RETN rs3745368 did not show a significant interaction with alcohol dependence concerning depressive symptoms.