An Association Study Between Alcoholism and the Serotonergic Receptor Genes

Abstract

The study results suggest that these serotonergic receptor genes may not directly contribute to the etiology of alcoholism.

The serotonin-2A receptor polymorphism and clinical symptoms in mood disorders, schizophrenia and alcohol dependence in Japan

“…Still, there is much discussion about 5-HTR2A gene polymorphism in schizophrenia, mood disorder and alcohol dependence. However, the negative opinion about psychosis (mood disorder, schizophrenia, and alcohol dependence) has increased in recent years (11–15). However, it has been hypothesized that 5-HT is involved in the etiology of schizophrenia.…”

Aspectos neurobiológicos de la psicopatía

“…Por otro lado, el alelo 861C se encontró sobreexpresado en alcohólicos (75) y se ha sugerido que tiene un efecto dosis-dependiente en el riesgo de desarrollar abuso de drogas (76). Otros estudios no han encontrado las relaciones mencionadas (77)(78)(79). Se han reportado otros polimorfismos en este gen (A161T, A180G, T261G, C129T), al igual que deleciones (184/183, 182/181) pero ninguno de estos polimorfismos se encontró relacionado con farmacodependencia o psicopatía (78,80).…”

“…Otros estudios no han encontrado las relaciones mencionadas (77)(78)(79). Se han reportado otros polimorfismos en este gen (A161T, A180G, T261G, C129T), al igual que deleciones (184/183, 182/181) pero ninguno de estos polimorfismos se encontró relacionado con farmacodependencia o psicopatía (78,80).…”

Enhanced 5-HT2A Receptor Status in the Hypothalamus and Corpus Striatum of Ethanol-Treated Rats

“…There are reports that antagonists of the 5-HT 3A and 5-HT 1A receptors reduced alcohol ingestion in rodents (Pettinati 1996;Litten et al 1996) and drugs that affect serotonergic signal transmission also alter alcohol consumption in animals (LeMarquand et al 1994). Serotonergic system appears to be involved in ethanol consumption and reinforcement by activating dopaminergic reward system and the levels of brain 5-HT receptor are inversely related to ethanol consumption (Pandey et al 1992;LeMarquand et al 1994;Himei et al 2000). The m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) is a serotonin agonist, which has been reported to elicit craving for ethanol and feelings similar to intoxication in abstinent ethanol addicts (Benkelfat et al 1991).…”