Dopamine D2 receptor polymorphisms and susceptibility to alcohol dependence in Indian males: a preliminary study

Abstract

BackgroundDopamine is an important neurotransmitter involved in reward mechanism in the brain and thereby influences development and relapse of alcohol dependence. The dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene on chromosome 11 (q22-q23) has been found to be associated with increased alcohol consumption through mechanisms involving incentive salience attributions and craving in alcoholic patients. Therefore, we investigated the association of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in DRD2 gene with alcohol dependence in the north Indian subjects.MethodsIn a retrospective analysis, genetic association of three polymorphisms from DRD2 gene with alcohol dependence was investigated using a case-control approach. Alcohol dependence was determined by DSM-IV criteria and a total of 90 alcoholics and 60 healthy unrelated age-matched control subjects were recruited. Odds ratio and confidence interval was calculated to determine risk conferred by a predisposing allele/genotype/haplotype. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to correlate various clinical parameters with genotypes, and to study pair-wise interactions between SNPs.ResultsThe study showed a significant association of -141C Ins allele and a trend of association of TaqI A1 allele of DRD2 with alcohol dependence. Haplotype with the predisposing -141C Ins and TaqI A1 alleles (-141C Ins-A-A1) seems to confer ≈ 2.5 times more risk to develop alcohol dependence.ConclusionsThe study provides preliminary insight into genetic risk to alcohol dependence in Indian males. Two polymorphisms namely, -141C Ins/Del and TaqI A in DRD2 gene may have clinical implications among Indian alcoholic subjects.

Neurotransmitters in alcoholism: A review of neurobiological and genetic studies

“…[32] The DRD2 is a G protein-coupled receptor located on postsynaptic dopaminergic neurons that is centrally involved in reward-mediating mesocorticolimbic pathways. [33] The DRD2 gene encodes 2 molecularly distinct isoforms with distinct functions.…”

“…[32] It has been rarely investigated for its association with AD. Two studies by[4041] carried out in Mexican-American population reported conflicting results with regard to the association of this polymorphism with AD.…”

Dopamine D2 receptor gene polymorphisms in newborn infants of drug-using women

“…While certain types of DRD2 polymorphisms have been associated with treatment difficulties in substance abuse,40 we found no relationship between any of the DRD2 polymorphisms and duration of treatment for NAS in this cohort but demonstrating such differences will need a considerably larger cohort due to the wide range in NAS treatment duration, mandated by strict regulated policies that are necessary to prevent carer confusion 18…”

Alcohol Abuse and HIV Infection: Role of DRD2

“…Overall, the DRD2 ANKK1 gene SNP has been found to be associated with multiple disorders including obesity [75, 76], diabetes [76, 77] alcohol addiction [15, 74, 78, 79]; and alcohol withdrawal syndrome [80]. Prevalence of the Al allele, 43.0% and 56.3%, has been found among a mixed group of less and more severe alcoholics and in a group of severe alcoholics, respectively [81].…”