Abstract
The main aim of the study was to test the moderating effect of two genetic polymorphisms, one in the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) and one in the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1), on the link between parental rule-setting and adolescent alcohol use. A total of 214 adolescents (M(age)=13.7, 44.9% male) provided saliva samples and completed survey items describing alcohol use and parental rule-setting. Findings indicated that alcohol-specific parental rule-setting was more robustly associated with alcohol use for adolescents with the DRD2 A1 risk allele and for those with the OPRM1 G-allele. This study replicates the interaction between parental rule-setting and the DRD2 risk allele on adolescent alcohol use and extends the literature by demonstrating the moderating effects of the OPRM1 risk allele on the link between parental rule-setting and adolescent alcohol use.
Highlights
Studies in the 1970s already showed that relatives of alcoholics run an increased alcohol-dependence risk (Winokur et al, 1970; Schuckit et al, 1972)
From patterns of concordance among monozygotic compared with dizygotic twins, it is known that 40–60% of the variance in alcohol dependence is explained by genetic factors (Liu et al, 2004; Goldman et al, 2005)
Both the DRD2 and the OPRM1 genotype correlated positively with alcohol use, meaning that individuals with a risk allele drank more alcohol compared with individuals without a risk allele in this sample
Summary
Studies in the 1970s already showed that relatives of alcoholics run an increased alcohol-dependence risk (Winokur et al, 1970; Schuckit et al, 1972). The fact that this risk remained enhanced for children of alcoholics who were adopted into different families suggests a genetic component in alcohol dependence (Goodwin et al, 1974; Cloninger et al, 1981). Twin studies of adolescents’ alcohol use initiation, frequency of drinking and problem drinking demonstrate comparable patterns of explained variance by genetic factors (Viken et al, 1999; Cleveland and Wiebe, 2003; Hopfer et al, 2003; Rhee et al, 2003; Pagan et al, 2006; Poelen et al, 2008). The DRD2 TaqIA A1 (T) allele has been associated with reduced dopamine D2 receptor availability and dopamine-binding capacities in the brain (Thompson et al, 1997; Pohjalainen et al, 1998), which may cause DRD2 A1
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