ALDH2 genotype-associated differences in the acute effects of alcohol on P300, psychomotor performance, and subjective response in healthy young Korean men: a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study.
BACKGROUND
This study investigated the acute effects of alcohol on neurophysiological and psychomotor functions and the subjective response in healthy young Korean men according to the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) genotype.


METHODS
A total of 24 males, half with ALDH2*1/*1 (active form) and the rest with ALDH2*1/*2 (inactive form), were selected through genotyping. In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design, each subject consumed either a 0.5 g/kg dose of alcohol or a placebo on two separate occasions, 1 week apart. The blood alcohol concentrations (BACs), P300 of event-related potential, psychomotor performance, and perceived feelings were assessed.


RESULTS
Although the BACs were similar between the two groups, the effects of alcohol on P300 were greater overall in subjects with ALDH2*1/*2 than in subjects with ALDH2*1/*1. Psychomotor performance was more impaired after alcohol ingestion in subjects with ALDH2*1/*2 than in subjects with ALDH2*1/*1. The subjective response after alcohol ingestion was more negative in subjects with ALDH2*1/*2, compared to subjects with ALDH2*1/*1.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the ALDH2 polymorphism is an important factor in determining the effects of alcohol on various psychobehavioral functions.
Clinical Trial Center, Chonnam National University Hospital, Kwangju, Korea.
Hee-Young
HY
Shin
Il-Seon
IS
Shin
Jin-Sang
JS
Yoon
D000328:Adult; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D000071396:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol; C096127:ALDH2 protein, human; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; D000071396:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial