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DRD4 and DAT1 as modifying genes in alcoholism: interaction with novelty seeking on level of alcohol consumption

Molecular Psychiatry volume 6, pages 7–9 (2001)Cite this article

SIR – We have presented data on allele and genotype frequencies of the DRD4 exon 3 polymorphism in Brazilian alcoholics and control subjects,1 and the association of the DRD4 seven-repeat allele containing genotypes with personality dimensions in alcoholics.2 Following recent studies showing interaction effects between candidate genes and personality dimensions on the course of substance dependence,345 we decided to perform a multiple regression analysis to investigate possible interaction effects between novelty seeking and the genotypes containing the seven-repeat allele in the DRD4 and the homozygotes for the ten-repeat allele of the VNTR in the 3′ untranslated region of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1).

The reason for examining these genes simultaneously is that both have been associated to conditions involving impulsivity or hyperactivity tendencies, especially attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)67 and novelty seeking,8 which are relevant to the predisposition to substance abuse.9 We hypothesized that both genes could interact with novelty seeking on the level of alcohol consumption and the severity of alcoholism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics, Biosciences Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Postal Box 15053, Porto Alegre, 91501-970, RS, Brazil

    C H D Bau, S Almeida, F T Costa, C E D Garcia, E P Elias, A C Ponso, A Spode & M H Hutz

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  1. C H D Bau
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  2. S Almeida
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  3. F T Costa
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  4. C E D Garcia
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  5. E P Elias
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  6. A C Ponso
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  7. A Spode
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  8. M H Hutz
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Correspondence to C H D Bau.

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Bau, C., Almeida, S., Costa, F. et al. DRD4 and DAT1 as modifying genes in alcoholism: interaction with novelty seeking on level of alcohol consumption. Mol Psychiatry 6, 7–9 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000819

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