Association of markers in the 3' region of the GluR5 kainate receptor subunit gene to alcohol dependence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Glutamate neurotransmission plays an important role in a variety of alcohol-related phenomena, including alcohol self-administration by both animals and humans. Because the risk for alcohol dependence (AD) is genetically influenced, genes encoding glutamate receptors are candidates to contribute to the risk for AD. We examined the role of variation in the 3' region of GRIK1, the gene that encodes the GluR5 receptor subunit of the kainic acid glutamate receptor, on risk for AD. We focused specifically on this gene because topiramate, a glutamate modulator that binds to the GluR5 subunit, has shown robust efficacy in the treatment of AD.

Methods

We genotyped 7 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3'-half of GRIK1, which includes 3 differentially spliced exo

SUBMITTER: Kranzler HR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2772659 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature