Candidate genes for cannabis use disorders: findings, challenges and directions.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Twin studies have shown that cannabis use disorders (abuse/dependence) are highly heritable. This review aims to: (i) review existing linkage studies of cannabis use disorders and (ii) review gene association studies, to identify potential candidate genes, including those that have been tested for composite substance use disorders and (iii) to highlight challenges in the genomic study of cannabis use disorders.

Methods

Peer-reviewed linkage and candidate gene association studies are reviewed.

Results

Four linkage studies are reviewed: results from these have homed in on regions on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 9, 14, 17 and 18, which harbor candidates of predicted biological relevance, such as monoglyceride lipase (MGLL) on chromosome 3, but also novel genes, including ELT

SUBMITTER: Agrawal A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2703791 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature