Severity of alcohol dependence is associated with the fatty acid amide hydrolase Pro129Thr missense variant

• DOI: 10.1111/adb.12491
• Publication Date: 2017-02-02T01:07:25Z
• Authors: Matthew E. Sloan; Joshua L. Gowin; Jia Yan; Melanie L. Schwandt; Primavera A. Spag...; Hui Sun; Colin A. Hodgkinson; David Goldman; Vijay A. Ramchandani
• Keywords: Binge drinking; Alcohol Dependence

Abstract The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in reward and addiction. One of the two main neurotransmitters, anandamide, is metabolized by fatty acid amide hydrolase, enzyme with a functional genetic polymorphism ( FAAH Pro129Thr, rs324420). Thr129 allele has been linked to problem drug alcohol use, but association not widely replicated may be stronger for clinical measures severity rather than categorical diagnosis. In present study, we sought determine whether was associated both dependence (AD) diagnosis sample 1434 European American African individuals, 952 whom were diagnosed lifetime AD. Participants genotyped rs324420, ancestry determined via genome‐wide panel informative markers. Subjects participated Structured Clinical Interviews psychiatric disorders 90‐day Timeline Followback interviews assess recent use. participants current AD had higher frequency non‐dependent controls. Americans AD, there significantly different distributions drinking days binge between genotype groups, carriers reporting median 10 fewer abstinent 13 more Pro129/Pro129 homozygotes. participants, no significant differences cases controls genotype. These findings provide evidence that Pro129Thr missense variant Americans.