Ionotropic glutamate receptor gene GRIK3 SER310ALA functional polymorphism is related to delirium tremens in alcoholics.
Upregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission resulting from chronic ethanol intoxication may cause a hyperexcitable state during alcohol withdrawal, which may lead to seizures and delirium tremens. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between a history of alcohol withdrawal-induced seizures and delirium tremens, and a functional polymorphism (Ser310Ala) of the GRIK3 gene coding for the glutamatergic kainate receptor subunit GlurR7 in a sample of well-characterized alcoholics compared to controls. In total, 233 patients meeting DSM-IV alcohol dependence criteria and 309 controls, all of German descent, were investigated. GRIK3 functional polymorphism was determined using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) of lymphocyte DNA. History of alcohol withdrawal-induced delirium tremens and seizures were obtained using the SSAGA (Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism). Data were cross-checked with in-patients' clinical files. While a significant relationship between history of delirium tremens and the Ser310 allele was detected, no significant results were obtained for alcohol withdrawal-related seizures. Although this result is suggestive for a significant role of this polymorphism in the pathogenesis of delirium tremens in alcohol-dependent individuals, further investigation and confirmation are warranted.
Preuss
U W
UW
Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, München, Germany. preuss@odebrecht-stiftung.de
Zill
P
P
Koller
G
G
Bondy
B
B
Hesselbrock
V
V
Soyka
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D020270:Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D018092:Kainic Acid Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D000097808:GluK3 Kainate Receptor
D004247:DNA; D018092:Kainic Acid Receptors; D000097808:GluK3 Kainate Receptor