Abstract
Alcohol dependence is a worldwide public health problem, and involves both environmental and genetic vulnerability factors. The heritability of alcohol dependence is rather high, ranging between 50% and 60%, although alcohol dependence is a polygenic, complex disorder.Genome-wide scans on large cohorts of multiplex families, including the collaborative study on genetics of alcoholism (COGA), emphasized the role of many chromosome regions and some candidate genes. The genes encoding the alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, or those involved in brain reward pathways, have been involved. Since dopamine is the main neurotransmitter in the reward circuit, genes involved in the dopaminergic pathway represent candidates of interest. Furthermore, gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter mediates the acute actions of alcohol and is involved in withdrawal symptomatology. Numerous studies showed an association between variants within GABA receptors genes and the risk of alcohol dependence.In accordance with the complexity of the “alcohol dependence” phenotype, another field of research, related to the concept of endophenotypes, received more recent attention. The role of vulnerability genes in alcohol dependence is therefore re-assessed focusing on different phenotypes and endophenotypes. The latter include brain oscillations, EEG alpha and beta variants and alpha power, and amplitude of P300 amplitude elicited from a visual oddball task.Recent enhancement on global characterizations of the genome by high-throughput approach for genotyping of polymorphisms and studies of transcriptomics and proteomics in alcohol dependence is also reviewed.
Highlights
Alcohol dependence is a complex addictive disorder, affecting 5.4% of the general population during lifetime [1]
This paper focuses on current studies on the genetics of alcohol dependence
After an overview of genetic approaches, including genome-wide scans and candidate genes analyses, we will review post gene methods, such as expression profile studies of genes differentially expressed in phenotypes relevant for alcohol dependence.We will discuss the results from two emerging fields, namely genomic and proteomic approaches of alcohol dependence
Summary
Alcohol dependence is a complex addictive disorder, affecting 5.4% of the general population during lifetime [1]. Alcohol dependence (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man #103780) represents a complex and heterogeneous phenotype, with behavioural, as well as psychological, pharmacological, and medical components. Aggregation and adoption researches support the role of a genetic component in alcohol dependence. The exact transmission mode remains unknown, but more than one gene is likely to be involved (i.e. pauci- or poly-genic disorder). This paper focuses on current studies on the genetics of alcohol dependence. After an overview of genetic approaches, including genome-wide scans and candidate genes analyses, we will review post gene methods, such as expression profile studies of genes differentially expressed in phenotypes relevant for alcohol dependence.We will discuss the results from two emerging fields, namely genomic and proteomic approaches of alcohol dependence
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
