A variable-number-of-tandem-repeats polymorphism in the dopamine D4 receptor gene affects social adaptation of alcohol use: investigation of a gene-environment interaction.
Research suggests that people adapt their own drinking behavior to that of other people. According to a genetic-differences approach, some individuals may be more inclined than others to adapt their alcohol consumption level to that of other people. Using a 3 (drinking condition) x 2 (genotype) experimental design (N = 113), we tested whether susceptibility to alcohol-related cues (i.e., seeing someone drink) was related to the variable number of tandem repeats in exon 3 of the D4 dopamine receptor gene. A strong gene-environment interaction showed that participants carrying at least one copy of the 7-repeat allele consumed substantially more alcohol in the presence of a heavy-drinking individual than did participants without this allele. This study highlights that individual variability in sensitivity to other people's drinking behavior may be attributable to genetic differences. Carrying the 7-repeat allele may increase the risk for heavy alcohol use or abuse in the company of heavy-drinking peers.
Larsen
Helle
H
Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands. h.larsen@pwo.ru.nl
van der Zwaluw
Carmen S
CS
Overbeek
Geertjan
G
Granic
Isabela
I
Franke
Barbara
B
Engels
Rutger C M E
RC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D000483:Alleles; D003463:Cues; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4 / Q000235:genetics*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D055815:Young Adult
D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4