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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) genetics are characterized by lower discoverability than most other psychiatric disorders. The contribution to biological understanding from previous genetic studies has thus been limited. We performed a multi-ancestry meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies across 1,222,882 individuals of European ancestry (137,136 cases) and 58,051 admixed individuals with African and Native American ancestry (13,624 cases). We identified 95 genome-wide significant loci (80 new). Convergent multi-omic approaches identified 43 potential causal genes, broadly classified as neurotransmitter and ion channel synaptic modulators (for example, GRIA1, GRM8and CACNA1E), developmental, axon guidance and transcription factors (for example, FOXP2, EFNA5and DCC), synaptic structure and function genes (for example, PCLO, NCAM1and PDE4B) and endocrine or immune regulators (for example, ESR1, TRAF3and TANK). Additional top genes influence stress, immune, fear and threat-related processes, previously hypothesized to underlie PTSD neurobiology. These findings strengthen our understanding of neurobiological systems relevant to PTSD pathophysiology, while also opening new areas for investigation.

Stimulant use has been identified as a key risk factor for sexual behaviours leading to HIVtransmission. Substance‐related expectancies are associated with substance use and postsubstance use thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Expectancies held by specific cultural subgroups have rarely been investigated, particularly regarding a range of commonly used stimulants. The Stimulant Expectancy Questionnaire for Men who have Sex with Men (SEQ‐MSM)was initially generated through consumer panel and interviews regarding the most commonly used stimulants among MSMin Australia (methamphetamine, amphetamines and ecstasy), with initial administration among 98 MSMto facilitate item reduction. A community sample of 427 MSMwas used to validate the SEQ‐MSM, with exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n = 202) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n = 225). EFArevealed three distinct substance reinforcement domains (‘Enhanced sexual experience’, ‘Sexual communication and negotiation’ and ‘Cognitive impairment’). The scale was associated with stimulant consumption patterns (including greater expectancies regarding sexual enhancement among methamphetamine users), and the factor structure, comprising a final form of the MSM‐SEQ, was confirmed through CFA. The SEQ‐MSMrepresents a reliable measure of outcome expectancies related to the range of commonly used stimulants among Australian MSM. Development of applied validation studies with the SEQ‐MSMis a key next step in advancing health promotion, clinical interventions and research efforts to reduce harm (eg, HIVtransmission) associated with stimulant use (particularly methamphetamine) among MSM. Objectives: This research maps expectancies specific among gay and men who have sex with men (MSM), and relationships between expectancies and stimulant use patterns and behaviours postuse – including sexual activity (eg, condomless anal sex). Substance‐related expectancies are associated with substance use and postsubstance use thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Expectancies held by specific cultural subgroups have rarely been investigated, particularly regarding a range of commonly used stimulants. The Stimulant Expectancy Questionnaire for Men who have Sex with Men (SEQ‐MSM)examines the most commonly used stimulants among MSM in Australia.

Standardized alcohol craving scales are rarely used outside of research environments despite recognized clinical utility. Scale length is a key barrier to more widespread application. A brief measure of alcohol craving is needed to improve research and treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Grounded in the Elaborated Intrusion Theory of Desire, the Alcohol Craving Experience (ACE) Questionnaire comprises two 11‐item self‐report scales that assess past‐week frequency and maximum strength of alcohol craving. This study aimed to create a brief version of the ACEwhile maintaining psychometric integrity and clinical utility. Patients attending a university hospital alcohol and drug outpatient service for the treatment of AUDcompleted the ACEas part of a questionnaire battery. Three patient samples were utilized: 519 patients with pretreatment and outcome data, 228 patients with pretreatment data, and 66 patients who completed the ACEat treatment sessions 1 and 2. The Frequency scale of the ACEpossessed greater clinical utility and predictive validity than the Strength scale. Revision of the Frequency measure produced a 5‐item “Mini Alcohol Craving Experience” (MACE) Questionnaire. Satisfactory validity (construct, predictive, concurrent, convergent, and incremental) and reliability (internal and test–retest) were maintained. A 1 standard deviation increase in pretreatment MACEscore was associated with a 54 percentage increase in the odds of patient lapse or dropout. The MACEprovides a brief, theoretically, and psychometrically robust measure of alcohol craving suitable for use with AUDpopulations in time‐limited clinical and research settings. A brief version of the Alcohol Craving Experience (ACE) Questionnaire was developed for time‐limited settings. The five‐item Mini Alcohol Craving Experience (MACE) demonstrated satisfactory validity (construct, predictive, concurrent, convergent, and incremental) and reliability (internal and test–retest). A 1 standard deviation increase in pretreatment MACE score was associated with a 54% increase in the odds of patient lapse or dropout. The MACE is a brief, theoretically and psychometrically robust measure of alcohol craving suitable for time‐limited clinical and research settings.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes is commonly found in schizophrenia and is an important contributor to mortality and morbidity in this condition. Dopamine has been implicated in the aetiology of both diabetes and schizophrenia. It is possible that both disorders share a common genetic susceptibility.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we examined 2 dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with schizophrenia (C939 T, rs6275 and C957 T, rs6277) along with fasting blood glucose and body mass index (BMI) in 207 antipsychotic-treated patients with schizophrenia. All participants met DSM-IVcriteria for schizophrenia, and those with other psychiatric disorders were excluded. Analysis of covariance was used to compare fasting glucose results by DRD2 genotypes, after controlling for known confounds. For significant associations, follow-up Bonferroni post hoc tests examined differences in fasting glucose levels between genotypes. Specific comparisons were also made using analysis of variance and chi-square (Fisher’s exact test).Results: The 2 DRD2 risk genotypes were associated with significant increases in blood glucose, after controlling for BMI, age, sex, dosage and type of antipsychotic medication, number of hospitalisations, and negative symptoms (rs6275, F(2, 182) = 5.901, P= 0.003; rs6277 SNP, F(2, 178) = 3.483, P= 0.033).Conclusions: These findings support the involvement of DRD2 not only in schizophrenia but also in elevated levels of blood glucose commonly found in antipsychotic-treated patients with schizophrenia. Our data support the notion that diabetes may not merely be a comorbid condition but could be fundamentally associated with the pathogenesis of schizophrenia itself.

Cognitive dysfunction is common in both end-stage liver disease and chronic alcohol misuse. The impact of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) on neuropsychological function is poorly documented. This prospective study examined changes in cognitive function pre- and post-OLT in patients with alcohol-related liver disease (ALD).

Background: Alcohol craving is associated with greater alcohol‐related problems and less favorable treatment prognosis. The Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS) is the most widely used alcohol craving instrument. The OCDS has been validated in adults with alcohol use disorders (AUDs), which typically emerge in early adulthood. This study examines the validity of the OCDS in a nonclinical sample of young adults.

Background: The Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale [OCDS; Anton et al., Alcohol Clin Exp Res 19 (1995), 92] is the most widely used measure of alcohol craving. There are no studies which comprehensively investigate the construct and concurrent validity of the OCDS in a severe alcohol dependent population.

AbstractWe assessed the effects of the Controlling Alcohol and Relationship Enhancement (CARE) program, an early intervention combining reduction of hazardous alcohol consumption and enhancement of couple relationships. Thirty-seven hazardous drinking couples were randomly allocated to either the CARE program or to a control condition. CARE couples improved their communication more than controls, but couples in both conditions reduced hazardous drinking to a similar extent. CARE is a potentially useful means of promoting positive relationship communication in hazardous drinking couples.

A total of 95 Caucasian opioid-dependent patients were followed over a one-year period in an outpatient methadone treatment program. The frequency of the TaqI A1 allele of the D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) gene was 19.0% in these patients compared with 4.6% in controls free of past and current alcohol and other drug abuse and free of family history of alcohol and other drug abuse (p = 0.009). Twenty-two of these patients dropped out of the methadone program (Group A), 54 had a successful treatment (Group B), and 19 had a poor treatment (Group C) outcome. The frequency of the A1 allele was highest in Group C (42.1%), followed by Group A (22.7%) and was lowest in Group B (9.3%). The more than fourfold higher frequency of the A1 allele in the poor treatment outcome group compared with the successful treatment outcome group was significant (p = 0.00002). Moreover, the average use of heroin (grams/day) during the year prior to study entry was more than twice as great in patients with the A1⁺ allele (A1/A1 or A1/A2 genotype) than those with the A1⁻ allele (A2/A2 genotype) (A1⁺ allele = 0.55 ± 0.10, A1⁻ allele = 0.25 ± 0.05; p = 0.003). The results indicate that DRD2 variants are predictors of heroin use and subsequent methadone treatment outcome and suggest a pharmacogenetic approach to the treatment of opioid dependence. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 96:592–598, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Various types of alcoholics have been described and heredity has been shown to be involved in some of these types. An important role of the mesolimbic dopamine system has been suggested in the reinforcing effects of alcohol and recent molecular genetic studies are implicating the gene for the D2dopamine receptor (DRD2) in alcoholism. In a double-blind study, bromocriptine, a DRD2 agonist, or placebo was administered to alcoholics with either the A1 (A1/A1 and A1/A2 genotypes) or only the A2 (A2/A2 genotype) allele of the DRD2 gene. The greatest improvement in craving and anxiety occurred in the bromocriptine-treated A1 alcoholics and attrition was highest in the placebo-treated A1 alcoholics. The feasibility of a pharmacogenetic approach in treating certain types of alcoholics is suggested.