These results indicate that variation in the PDYN gene is associated with a dimensional trait or intermediate phenotype that reflects a preference for heavy drinking and engaging in related risky behaviors (e.g., drug use, sexual activity).
Moreover, one haplotype of the CHRNA4 (GGTG) was associated with increased body weight as compared to non-carriers of this haplotype, especially in the heavy consumers of alcohol (p=0.004).The present findings are the first to disclose a haplotype association between the CHRNA6 gene and heavy alcohol use as well as an association of the CHRNA4 gene with increased body mass in heavy consumers of alcohol.
Recent animal research suggests that alterations in the corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) may lead to heavy alcohol use following repeated stress.
Although NTX had no significant effect on relapse to heavy drinking in the overall sample in CSP 425, it significantly reduced relapse in the subgroup that provided DNA for analysis (i.e., the present study sample).
Both additive and multiplicative interactions between heavy drinking and the CD14/-159C allele for total and specific serum IgE values was still present after adjusting for potential confounders.
This decrease in plasma ACTH and beta-END levels with heavy drinking was more pronounced in female than male subjects of the 30-44 and 45-60 age groups.
Jews drink less than other Caucasians and have a higher prevalence of ADH2*2, an allele of an alcohol dehydrogenase gene that protects against heavy drinking.
To assess whether it is common for the beta2-adrenergic receptor (B2AR) gene polymorphisms in codons 16 and 27 to play a role in the development of fatty liver, we investigated 251 unrelated healthy Japanese males who were drug-free and showed no signs of heavy drinking.
This study compared self-reported alcohol use, via the AUDIT and CAGE, with levels of phosphatidylethanol (Peth), a phospholipid biomarker that forms with chronic, heavy drinking, among high-risk MSM and TW in Lima, Peru.
These findings extend previous reports by demonstrating that the CRHR1 gene and stressful life events interact to predict both drinking initiation in adolescence and progression of heavy alcohol use in young adulthood.
Moreover, one haplotype of the CHRNA4 (GGTG) was associated with increased body weight as compared to non-carriers of this haplotype, especially in the heavy consumers of alcohol (p=0.004).The present findings are the first to disclose a haplotype association between the CHRNA6 gene and heavy alcohol use as well as an association of the CHRNA4 gene with increased body mass in heavy consumers of alcohol.
These findings provide first evidence in humans that the CRHR1 gene interacts with exposure to stressful life events to predict heavy alcohol use in adolescents.
The 'Identical By Descent' analysis provided significant evidence of an effect of the DRD2 locus on the liability to develop heavy drinking (P < 0.0016) and Research Diagnostic Criteria alcoholism (P < 0.0003) in the first sample of families studied.