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Behavioral and Brain Functions
Published in: Behavioral and Brain Functions 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research

A novel SNP in COMT is associated with alcohol dependence but not opiate or nicotine dependence: a case control study

Authors: Joanne Voisey, Christopher D Swagell, Ian P Hughes, Bruce R Lawford, Ross MD Young, C Phillip Morris

Published in: Behavioral and Brain Functions | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

It is well established that COMT is a strong candidate gene for substance use disorder and schizophrenia. Recently we identified two SNPs in COMT (rs4680 and rs165774) that are associated with schizophrenia in an Australian cohort. Individuals with schizophrenia were more than twice as likely to carry the GG genotype compared to the AA genotype for both the rs165774 and rs4680 SNPs. Association of both rs4680 and rs165774 with substance dependence, a common comorbidity of schizophrenia has not been investigated.

Methods

To determine whether COMT is important in substance dependence, rs165774 and rs4680 were genotyped and haplotyped in patients with nicotine, alcohol and opiate dependence.

Results

The rs165774 SNP was associated with alcohol dependence. However, it was not associated with nicotine or opiate dependence. Individuals with alcohol dependence were more than twice as likely to carry the GG or AG genotypes compared to the AA genotype, indicating a dominant mode of inheritance. The rs4680 SNP showed a weak association with alcohol dependence at the allele level that did not reach significance at the genotype level but it was not associated with nicotine or opiate dependence. Analysis of rs165774/rs4680 haplotypes also revealed association with alcohol dependence with the G/G haplotype being almost 1.5 times more common in alcohol-dependent cases.

Conclusions

Our study provides further support for the importance of the COMT in alcohol dependence in addition to schizophrenia. It is possible that the rs165774 SNP, in combination with rs4680, results in a common molecular variant of COMT that contributes to schizophrenia and alcohol dependence susceptibility. This is potentially important for future studies of comorbidity. As our participant numbers are limited our observations should be viewed with caution until they are independently replicated.
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Metadata
Title
A novel SNP in COMT is associated with alcohol dependence but not opiate or nicotine dependence: a case control study
Authors
Joanne Voisey
Christopher D Swagell
Ian P Hughes
Bruce R Lawford
Ross MD Young
C Phillip Morris
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Behavioral and Brain Functions / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1744-9081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-9081-7-51

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