Association between dopamine receptor D1 gene DdeI polymorphism and sensation seeking in alcohol-dependent men.
BACKGROUND
Among genetic and biopsychological factors involved in alcohol-dependence vulnerability, dopamine receptor subtypes genes and temperament's dimensions, such as sensation seeking, have been particularly incriminated. Moreover, it is suggested that higher levels of sensation seeking could be associated with a modification of sensitivity to dopamine in postsynaptic receptors.


METHODS
We investigated whether the DRD1 DdeI polymorphism could be associated with the sensation-seeking level among a sample of 72 alcohol-dependent male and female patients. Analyses of variance were performed to test for an effect between the DRD1 DdeI genotypes and sensation-seeking scores according to the 40-item Zuckerman scale.


RESULTS
When comparing the DRD1 DdeI genotypes and the Zuckerman scores, we found a significant association only in men (p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
That is the first report of a male limited association between the DRD1 gene polymorphism and sensation-seeking score in alcohol-dependent subjects.
Limosin
Frédéric
F
Department of Psychiatry, Albert Chenevier Hospital, France. frederic.limosin@ach.ap-hop-paris.fr
Loze
Jean-Yves
JY
Rouillon
Frédéric
F
Adès
Jean
J
Gorwood
Philip
P
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific / Q000235:genetics*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000235:genetics*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; C027908:endodeoxyribonuclease DdeI; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific