Preliminary Evidence for cue-induced Alcohol Craving Modulated by Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphism rs1042173.

ABSTRACT: We previously have shown that cue-induced alcohol craving and propensity for higher drinking are modulated by allelic differences in SLC6A4 associated with serotonin transporter (5-HTT) expression level alterations. In an independent study, we characterized another polymorphism, SNP rs1042173, in 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the same gene, which also altered 5-HTT expression levels; the T allele of rs1042173 was associated with lower mRNA and protein levels. In subsequent analyses, the TT genotype was found to be associated with higher drinking intensity in alcohol-dependent (AD) individuals of Caucasian descent. Building upon these findings, we hypothesized that the low-expressing TT genotype associated with intense drinking would predict higher craving for alcohol in AD individuals

SUBMITTER: Ait-Daoud N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3280410 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature