Genetic associations of alcohol dehydrogenase with alcohol use disorders and endophenotypes in white college students.
Associations of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) gene polymorphisms (ADH1B*2 and ADH1C*1) with a lifetime alcohol use disorder (AUD) were examined in White college students. Alcohol-related endophenotypes likely to be influenced by elevations in acetaldehyde were also assessed. Individuals with an ADH1B*2 allele had lower rates of AUDs, consumed a lower maximum number of drinks in a 24-hr period, reported a greater level of response to alcohol, were more likely to have experienced alcohol-induced headaches following 1 or 2 drinks, and reported more severe hangovers than those lacking this allele. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that enhanced sensitivity to alcohol and lower levels of alcohol use reflect the mechanism by which ADH1B*2 protects against developing an AUD.
Wall
Tamara L
TL
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92161, USA. twall@ucsd.edu
Shea
Shoshana H
SH
Luczak
Susan E
SE
Cook
Travis A R
TA
Carr
Lucinda G
LG
D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D000483:Alleles; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D013334:Students / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*
C489332:ADH1B protein, human; C420272:ADH1C protein, human; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase; D000079:Acetaldehyde