Associations among GABRG1, level of response to alcohol, and drinking behaviors.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies of the genetics of alcoholism have focused on a cluster of genes encoding for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA(A)) receptor subunits, which is thought to play a role in the expression of addiction phenotypes. This study examined allelic associations between 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GABRG1 gene (rs1391166 and rs1497571) and alcohol phenotypes, namely level of response to alcohol, alcohol use patterns, and alcohol-related problems.


METHODS
Participants were non-treatment-seeking seeking hazardous drinkers (n = 124) who provided DNA samples, participated in a face-to-face interview for level of response to alcohol, and completed a series of drinking and individual differences measures.


RESULTS
Analyses revealed that a SNP of the GABRG1 gene (rs1497571) was associated with level of response to alcohol and drinking patterns in this subclinical sample. Follow-up mediational analyses were also conducted to examine putative mechanisms underlying these associations.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings replicate and extend recent research suggesting that genetic variation at the GABRG1 locus may underlie the expression of alcohol phenotypes, including level of response to alcohol.
Ray
Lara A
LA
Department of Psychology, University of California , Los Angeles, California 90095-1563, USA. lararay@psych.ucla.edu
Hutchison
Kent E
KE
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D000483:Alleles; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
C528795:GABRG1 protein, human; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A