title: Association of a functional FAAH polymorphism with methamphetamine-induced symptoms and dependence in a Malaysian population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  FAAH is a membrane enzyme that terminates the activity of a large class of endogenous signaling lipids. Recent studies suggest that the FAAH Pro129Thr polymorphism is a common mutation in the FAAH gene that is significantly associated with drug-addictive traits. This study investigated the association of the Pro129Thr polymorphism of the FAAH gene with methamphetamine dependence, methamphetamine-induced psychosis, manic episodes and panic disorder in a Malaysian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This polymorphism was genotyped in 232 male methamphetamine-dependent subjects and in 241 male controls of four different ethnicities: Malay, Chinese, Kadazan-Dusun and Bajau. Intergroup statistical analyses were performed by using the χ(2)-square test and Fisher's exact test, where necessary. In cases of multiple comparisons, the Bonferroni correction was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results indicated that the FAAH Pro129Thr polymorphism showed a significant association with risk of methamphetamine dependence in the pooled subjects (odds ratio [OR]: 2.017; p < 0.001) and in the Malay (OR: 2.829; p < 0.001) and Chinese (OR: 3.685; p < 0.001) groups. We also found an association of this polymorphism with episodes of methamphetamine-induced mania in the Malay group (OR: 2.836; p = 0.035). However, there was no association between this polymorphism and age of onset of drug use or the occurrence of methamphetamine-induced psychosis or of panic disorder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that the FAAH Pro129Thr polymorphism may contribute to methamphetamine dependence in the Malay and Chinese ethnic groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. garethsim1983@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Maw Shin
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hatim
authors.forename: Gavin Paul
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Zahurin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mohamed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000235:genetics*; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000235:genetics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D000099252:Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases
chemical_list: D000581:Amidohydrolases; D008694:Methamphetamine; D000099252:Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases