Heritability of alcohol dependence is similar in women and men

Abstract

People 13 595 female twins and 10 524 male twins aged 20-47 years, born in Sweden between 1959 and 1985. The study included monozygotic and same-and opposite-sex dizygotic twins, who were taking part in the Study of Twin Adults: Genes and Environment (STAGE). Participants were identified using the Swedish Twin Registry. Setting Sweden; 2005. Risk factors Genetic and environmental factors; gender; and childhood trauma (measured using the selfcompleted Life Stressor Checklist, LSC-R). A basic twin model was used to quantify genetic and environmental effects. Heritability (genetic effects) was compared in male and females. Childhood trauma was assessed in both sexes, but were analyzed and reported on in women. Outcomes Lifetime diagnosis of alcohol dependence, established using a standardised, computerassisted Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Alcohol dependence was classified as late onset (type I) or early onset (type II) alcohol dependence, based on the revised Cloninger-Bohman criteria. (early onset is defined as onset of alcohol problems before age 25, and/or seeking treatment before age 30; plus two or more social complications of alcohol misuse, such as drunk driving or job loss).

Haplotype-based study of the association of alcohol and acetaldehyde-metabolising genes with alcohol dependence (with or without comorbid anxiety symptoms) in a Cape Mixed Ancestry population

“…Alcohol dependence (AD) is substantially heritable with studies estimating that heritability is between 50 and 70 % (Heath et al 1997 ; Hiroi and Agatsuma 2005 ; Ystrom et al 2011 ; Young-Wolff et al 2012 ). Genes associated with AD include those coding for enzymes involved in the absorption and elimination of ethanol such as alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) (Zakhari 2006 ; Edenberg 2007 ).…”

Alcohol and nicotine codependence-associated DNA methylation changes in promoter regions of addiction-related genes

“…AD and ND are both genetically-influenced complex disorders with both shared and specific genetic risk factors. The heritability of AD is estimated to be 50–70% 9 10 11 12 13 and that of ND is estimated to be 40–60% 11 14 . The co-occurrence of AD and ND suggests a substantial genetic correlation between these two disorders and a possible common genetic vulnerability.…”