[ADHD and alcohol dependence: a common genetic predisposition?].
BACKGROUND
Nearly 50 % of subjects with continuing symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood show a comorbid substance use disorder. Both, ADHD and alcohol dependence have a high genetic load and might even share overlapping sources of genetic liability.


METHODS
We investigated phenotype and 5-HTT/5-HT2c allelic characteristics in 314 alcoholics of German descent.


RESULTS
21 % of the alcoholics fulfilled DSM-IV-criteria of ADHD with ongoing symptoms in adulthood. There was no significant difference in 5-HTT- or 5-HT2c-allele distribution between alcoholics and matched controls or between alcoholics with or without ADHD.


CONCLUSIONS
In our sample the functional relevant 5-HTT-promoter and the 5-HT2c-receptor Cys23Ser polymorphism do not contribute to the supposed common genetic predisposition of ADHD and alcohol dependence.
Wodarz
Norbert
N
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universität am Bezirksklinikum Regensburg. norbert.wodarz@medbo.de
Lange
Kirsten
K
Laufkötter
Rainer
R
Johann
Monika
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000483:Alleles; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010343:Patient Admission; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / Q000235:genetics; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins