The role of polymorphisms in the serotonin receptor 1A (5-HT1A), serotonin receptor 2A (5-HT2A), and the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT) promotor region (5-HTTLPR) in the manifestation of individual alcohol withdrawal symptoms was investigated in 97 Korean male inpatients with alcohol dependence and 76 Korean healthy male subjects.
Our results suggest that the long variant of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is associated with higher compulsive alcohol craving at the beginning of alcohol withdrawal.
The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) gene is a candidate gene in alcohol dependence because serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) can alleviate alcohol withdrawal.