title: Reward-related genes and personality traits in alcohol-dependent individuals: a pilot case control study.
abstract: Components of the brain reward system, i.e. the mesolimbic dopamine, laterodorsal cholinergic and ghrelin signaling systems, have been implicated in alcohol reward in preclinical studies. Genetic variants of these systems have previously been linked to alcohol dependence. Here, we genotyped 31 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): 1 SNP in the dopamine D₂ receptor (DRD2) gene, 20 SNPs in 5 different nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (CHRN*) genes, and 10 SNPs in the genes encoding pro-ghrelin (GHRL) and its receptor (GHSR), in a pilot study of type 1 alcoholics (n = 84) and healthy controls (n = 32). These individuals were characterized using the Temperament and Character Inventory. None of the SNPs were associated with risk of alcohol dependence in this population. The GG genotype of SNP rs13261190 in the CHRNB3 was associated with increased novelty seeking, while SNPs of the ghrelin signaling system were associated with decreased self-directedness (AA of rs495225, GHSR) and alterations in self-transcendence (AA of both rs42451 and rs35680, GHRL). In conclusion, this pilot study suggests that reward-related genes are associated with altered personality scores in type 1 alcohol dependence, which warrants future studies of these associations in larger study samples.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. sara.landgren@pharm.gu.se
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Landgren
authors: Kristina
authors: K
authors: Berglund
authors: Elisabet
authors: E
authors: Jerlhag
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Fahlke
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Balldin
authors: Ulf
authors: U
authors: Berggren
authors: Henrik
authors: H
authors: Zetterberg
authors: Kaj
authors: K
authors: Blennow
authors: Jörgen A
authors: JA
authors: Engel