title: Association analysis of exonic variants of the GABA(B)-receptor gene and alpha electroencephalogram voltage in normal subjects and alcohol-dependent patients.
abstract: Based on pharmacologic evidence, it has been suggested that GABA(B) receptors may play a crucial role in the generation of alpha-electroencephalogram (EEG) oscillations. We tested whether three exonic variants of the gene encoding the human GABA(B) receptor (GABA(B)R1) modify scalp-recorded alpha-EEG voltage. One hundred twenty-eight patients suffering from alcoholism and 114 normal subjects were investigated. Alcohol-dependent patients were included because evidence exists that the frequently observed alpha low voltage in these subjects is at least partly a trait variable. Logistic regression analyses revealed no associations between alpha-EEG voltage and polymorphic variations in exon 1a1 or exon 11. A significant interaction was observed for an exon 7 substitution polymorphism and diagnosis (P = 0.009). Post hoc analyses showed an association between EEG phenotype and exon 7 genotype in normal subjects only. It is concluded that this particular association may only be observable under physiologic conditions and that alpha low voltage in alcohol-dependent subjects is under the control of either different genes or that it is related to the disease process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Benjamin Franklin University Hospital, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany. wintereg@intra.nimh.nih.gov
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Winterer
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahlberg
authors.forename: Michael N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Smolka
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Samochowiec
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ziller
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Rommelspacher
authors.forename: Werner M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: Lutz G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000483:Alleles; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000235:genetics*; D012043:Regression, Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D018080:Receptors, GABA-B