Can serotonin transporter genotype predict craving in alcoholism?

ABSTRACT:

Background

We hypothesize that functional control of the serotonergic system is regulated in part by differential expression of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter (5-HTT). Alcohol-dependent individuals with the LL/LS genotype (L-carriers), compared with those with the SS genotype, have a lower 5-HT neurotransmission, which we hypothesize would be associated with higher craving for alcohol among L-carriers. We hypothesize further that acute peripheral depletion of tryptophan (5-HT's precursor), while further reducing 5-HT function, might decrease auto-inhibition of 5-HT neuronal firing, thereby increasing 5-HT neurotransmission transiently and lowering alcohol craving.

Methods

We tested these hypotheses by examining whether in 34 Hispanic alcohol-dependent individuals subjectiv

SUBMITTER: Ait-Daoud N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2747793 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature