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KMID : 0870520080120020049
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Journal of Korean Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
2008 Volume.12 No. 2 p.49 ~ p.63
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Genetic Influences on Alcohol Use and Dependence：An Update of Research Findings
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Roh Sung-Won
Matsushita Sachio
Higuchi Susumu
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Abstract
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More than 100 studies have shown that alcohol dependence is a complex disorder that may be influenced by multiple polymorphisms of multiple genes. There is now abundant evidence for genetic influences on alcohol use and dependence. The overall heritability of alcohol dependence has been estimated to be 50-60% with multiple genes each having a small effect. While genetics significantly contributes to elucidation of the mechanism of alcohol dependence, the role of the environment and of geneenvironment interactions should not be ignored. Linkage approaches have been used to map chromosomal regions linked to alcohol use and dependence. Regions that can be confirmed include those on chromosome 1p, 4q close to the ADH gene cluster, 4p close to the GABAA receptor gene cluster, and 16p. These regions are definitely promising candidates for association studies to identify narrower loci or single gene. Many genes have been suggested to possibly play roles in contributing to vulnerability to developing alcohol dependence. Yet, only two genes,
ADH and ALDH2, have been identified as having defined effects on phenotypic variations in alcohol use and dependence. We, however, remain cautiously optimistic that current and novel methods of genetic analysis will add new genes to the list. Promising candidates include GABRA2 and CHRM2. Many genes combine to reach a threshold of clinical liability; therefore, no single gene is likely to be identified as the “alcoholism” gene. Nonetheless, neurobiological analyses of candidate genes will surely contribute to further understanding of the interindividual differences in risk and the cause of alcohol dependence.
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KEYWORD
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Alcohol use·Alcohol dependence, Genetic influence Family study, Twin study·Adoption study, Association study, Linkage study
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