Abstract
Background Jews have lower rates of alcohol‐related problems than other Caucasians. The ADH2*2 allele of the alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ADH2) gene protects against alcoholism in Asians and is found in approximately 20% of Jews. We studied the relationship of ADH2*2 to DSM‐IV dependence severity in a random community sample of Israeli Ashkenazis, recent Russian immigrants (also Ashkenazis), and Sephardics.Methods Subjects participated in a structured interview that included highly reliable questions on DSM‐IV alcohol dependence symptoms. ADH2 genotype was determined for 68 subjects.Results Recent Russian immigrants had more past and lifetime DSM‐IV dependence symptoms. Sephardics had a higher prevalence of ADH2*2 than Ashkenazis. Controlling for group and other potentially confounding factors, ADH2*2 was associated with a lower lifetime DSM‐IV alcohol dependence severity, although this differed somewhat within groups.Conclusions ADH2*2 protects against dependence severity in Jewish samples. Future work in larger samples should address genetic and environmental factors that affect the relationship of ADH2*2 to alcohol consumption and dependence.
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