title: DRD2 genotypes and substance use in adolescent children of alcoholics.
abstract: Research has identified children of alcoholics (COAs) as a population at increased risk for developing substance use problems. Genetic studies support the Al allele of the D2 dopamine receptor gene (DRD2) as a risk marker for alcoholism and substance use disorders. In this study, substance use was assessed in 48 adolescent boys of alcoholics with the DRDR A1(+) allele (A1A1/A1A2 genotypes) or the A1(-) allele (A2A2 genotype). The results revealed that boys with the A1(+) allele tried (p=0.0001) and got intoxicated on alcohol more often (p=0.009) than boys with the A1(-) allele. Boys with the A1(+) allele tried more (p=0.004) and used more substances overall (p=0.008) than boys with the A1(-) allele. Boys with the A1(+) allele developed a tobacco habit more often (p=0.03) and experienced marijuana high at an earlier age (p=0.001) than boys with the A1(-) allele. The best predictors of substance use severity in boys with the A1(+) allele were Psychoticism (p=0.01) and Negative Affect (p=0.04). The results provide support for the DRD2 A1 allele as a marker identifying a subgroup of COAs at high risk for developing substance use problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Bradley T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Conner
authors.forename: Ernest P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Noble
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.forename: Tulin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ozkaragoz
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Antolin
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sheen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D005819:Genetic Markers; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010555:Personality Inventory; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2