Search

BackgroundPrevious studies suggest that alcohol dependence is associated with depression, however, the effect of alcohol dependence varies from individual to individual, which may be due to different genetic backgrounds. The interactions between alcohol dependence and different gene polymorphisms may finally shape the onset of depression. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), which can maintain homeostasis from high-stress stimulation, may protect individuals from the onset of depression. Here, we explored whether the NPY rs16147:T>C has an association with depression in individuals with alcohol dependence during the period of alcohol dependence withdrawal.MethodsA total of 455 males with alcohol dependence were recruited. The scale of Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and Self-Depression Scale (SDS) were respectively used to analyze the condition of alcohol dependence and depression. Genomic DNA was extracted from each blood sample and NPY polymorphisms were genotyped. The interaction between NPY rs16147:T>C and alcohol dependence on depression was first analyzed. Then, region of significance analysis was used to confirm which model provided the best fit for the interaction (diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility). Finally, by using internal replication analyses, the accuracy and robustness of the interaction results were improved.ResultsAlcohol dependence was positively correlated with depression. CC homozygotes of NPY rs16147:T>C exhibited less depression when exposed to low alcohol dependence, but more depression when exposed to high alcohol dependence. Individuals with the T allele showed the opposite result.ConclusionNPY rs16147:T>C might be correlated with susceptibility for depression in males during alcohol dependence withdrawal. The findings support the differential susceptibility model.

ObjectiveAlcohol dependence can increase the level of anxiety. A growing body of research has identified a link between anxiety symptoms of problem drinkers and their genetic or environment factors, respectively. However, to date few studies have directly examined gene-environment (G × E) interaction on their anxiety symptoms during the acute alcohol withdrawal. The present study aims to examine the interaction between the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) rs2071345 polymorphism and alcohol dependence on anxiety symptoms of male problem drinkers, and further test the exact form of interaction on two competing models: the diathesis-stress model vs. the differential susceptibility model.MethodsA total of 440 male problem drinkers (Mage = 44.5 years, SD = 9.45) were recruited from nine main psychiatric hospitals of northern China during acute alcohol withdrawal. Blood samples were collected for genotyping, self-reported anxiety symptoms, and levels of alcohol dependence were assessed.ResultsResults indicated that the POMC rs2071345 polymorphism significantly moderated anxiety symptoms associated with alcohol dependence. A region of significance (RoS) test showed that male problem drinkers with T allele were more likely to experience more anxiety symptoms than those with CC homozygote when the standardized score of concurrent alcohol dependence was above 0.31. Confirmatory model evaluation indicated that the interaction effect involving POMC gene polymorphism conformed to the diathesis-stress model rather than differential-susceptibility model of person × environment interaction.ConclusionsThis study suggested that the SNP in POMC rs2071345 was associated with alcohol dependence in anxiety symptoms of male problem drinkers and further provided evidence in support of the diathesis-stress hypothesis of alcohol dependence in terms of anxiety symptoms.

Alcohol dependence can increase the level of anxiety. A growing body of research has identified a link between anxiety symptoms of problem drinkers and their genetic or environment factors, respectively. However, to date few studies have directly examined gene-environment (G × E) interaction on their anxiety symptoms during the acute alcohol withdrawal. The present study aims to examine the interaction between the proopiomelanocortin (A total of 440 male problem drinkers (Results indicated that theThis study suggested that the SNP in

Objective: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most common substance use disorder, which may relate to increased impulsivity. A more detailed understanding of the potential moderating factor on association between AUD and impulsivity is likely to have far-reaching effects. This study aims to examine whether the interaction between a genetic variant ZNF804A rs1344706 and alcohol use is related to impulsivity in Chinese Han adult males diagnosed with AUD.Methods: A total of 455 Chinese Han adult males diagnosed with AUD were included in this study. Impulsivity was assessed using Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Alcohol dependence was measured by Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of participants and genotyped.Results: Hierarchical multiple regression yielded a significant interaction between ZNF804A rs1344706 and alcohol use (β = 0.20, p = 0.0237). Then, A region of significance (RoS) test was performed to interpret the interaction effect. Re-parameterized regression models revealed that the interaction between ZNF804A rs1344706 and alcohol problem severity fit to the weak diathesis-stress model (R2 = 0.15, p < 0.0010), indicating that the T allele carriers are more susceptible to alcohol problem severity, jointly contributing to impulsivity.Conclusions: This study, which analyzed a specific gene-environment interaction, demonstrated that carriers of the T allele of ZNF804A rs1344706 may be more susceptible to alcohol problem severity, correlated with higher levels of impulsivity during withdrawal.