title: Association of a CB1 cannabinoid receptor gene (CNR1) polymorphism with severe alcohol dependence.
abstract: Due to the involvement of the endogenous cannabinoid system in brain reward mechanisms a silent polymorphism (1359G/A; Thr453Thr) in the single coding exon of the CB1 human cannabinoid receptor gene (CNR1) was analysed in 121 severely affected Caucasian alcoholics and 136 most likely non-alcoholic controls. The observed frequency of the A allele was 31.2% for controls and 42.1% for alcoholics with severe withdrawal syndromes (P=0.010). Post-hoc exploration indicated that this allelic association resulted from an excess of the homozygous A/A genotype in patients with a history of alcohol delirium (P=0.031, DF 2), suggesting s an increased risk of delirium (OR=2.45, 95% CI 1.14--5.25). This finding suggests that the homozygous genotype CNR1 1359A/A confers vulnerability to alcohol withdrawal delirium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Strasse 8, D-55131, Mainz, Germany. schmidt@psychiatrie.klinik.uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Lutz G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Samochowiec
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Finckh
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fiszer-Piosik
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horodnicki
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wendel
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rommelspacher
authors.forename: Margret R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hoehe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000235:genetics; D020270:Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures / Q000235:genetics; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug