Associations and Interactions Between SNPs in the Alcohol Metabolizing Genes and Alcoholism Phenotypes in European Americans

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Volume 33 Issue 5, Pages 848 - 857

We replicated the large effect of rs1229984 on alcohol behavior, and although not common (MAF = 4%), this polymorphism may be highly relevant from a public health perspective in European Americans. Another SNP, rs8187974, may also affect alcohol behavior but requires replication. Also, interactions between polymorphisms in genes involved in alcohol metabolism are likely determinants of the parameters that ultimately affect alcohol consumption.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: rneuman@wustl.edu

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Effect of Alcohol Consumption on CpG Methylation in the Differentially Methylated Regions of H19 and IG-DMR in Male Gametes—Implications for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Published Online: 10 Jun 2009

The aim of this study was to establish a link between alcohol use in men and hypomethylation of paternally imprinted loci in sperm DNA in genomic regions critical for embryonic development, thus providing a mechanism for paternal effects in the aetiology of FASD.

This study demonstrates a correlation between chronic alcohol use and demethylation of normally hypermethylated imprinted regions in sperm DNA. We hypothesize that, should these epigenetic changes in imprinted genes be transmitted through fertilization, they would alter the critical gene expression dosages required for normal prenatal development resulting in offspring with features of FASD.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: michele.ramsay@nhls.ac.za
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News Release - Finnish baby boomers account for increased alcohol use- study
12.6.2009

People aged 50-69 have been largely responsible for the increase in alcohol consumption in Finland over the past decade, reveals a study published on Friday. . . . . .

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A comparison of diagnoses obtained from in-person and telephone interviews, using the semi-structured assessment for the genetics of alcoholism (SSAGA)

J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs 70: 623-627, 2009

The aim othis study was to compare the prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses when the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA-II) interview was administered in person with the prevalence when the SSAGA-II was conducted by telephone.

Diagnostic prevalence rates for alcohol dependence and major depressive disorder were lower for telephone interviews than for in-person interviews (7% and 2%, respectively); there were no other significant differences.

When circumstances dictate (e.g., subject out of area, subject preference), telephone administration of the SSAGA should be considered.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: john-kramer@uiowa.edu

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ADH1A variation predisposes to personality traits and substance dependence

American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics Published Online: 12 Jun 2009

The present study demonstrates that the ADH1A variation may contribute to the genetic component of variation in personality traits and SD.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: xingguang.luo@yale.edu

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Structural Changes in Mesocorticolimbic Dopaminergic System of the Brain during Long-Term Alcoholization in Rats

Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine Volume 146, Number 6 / December, 2008

We studied morphofunctional changes in structures of the mesocorticolimbic system of rat brain upon long-term (5 months) ethanol intoxication. Alcoholization reduced the volume and specific density of neurons in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. The density of neurogliocytes in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area increased. Neuronal density in the nucleus accumbens and anterior cingulate cortex significantly decreased, the volume of viable neurons slightly increased. One month after alcohol cessation, the volume of neurons in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area remained elevated against the background of their reduced density. The density of neuroglia in the nucleus accumbens and anterior cingulate cortex remained at the level observed during alcoholization. Significant decrease in the density and decrease in the volume of neurons in structures of the mesocorticolimbic system accompanied by the increase in neuroglyocyte density in these structures can be considered as morphological signs of long-term alcoholic intoxication, which persist after alcohol cessation.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: pdshabanov@mail.ru

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Alcoholism: recent advances in epidemiology, biochemistry and genetics.
Bratisl Lek Listy. 2009;110(5):307-11.

Countries traditionally consuming beer and wine have high alcohol consumption as compared to East Asia, where the fact of low alcoholism prevalence can be attributed to a defect in metabolic degradation of ethanol.

Dependence on alcohol is multifactorial and is related to a complex interplay of metabolic, genetic, social and environmental factors. Repetitive alcohol ingestion and its resulting dependence is associated with false euphoria triggered by an inhibition of glutamate receptors and other brain neurotransmitters, namely dopamine and serotonine.

Genetic polymorphisms of genes encoding the alcohol metabolism enzymes and neurotransmitter signaling molecules in dopamine, gamma aminobutyric acid, opioid and serotonin systems, are involved in individual variations for susceptibility to alcohol dependence. Prominent progress has been achieved toward identification of genes related to alcoholism. Six genes were described on chromosomes 4, 7, 8, 11, 15 and 20, which are known to have influence on neuronal signal transfer and generation of dopamine receptors. It is suggested that such genes carry the risk for alcoholism.

In the last years, the role of (GABA) receptors in the development of alcoholism is studied in detail. In future it may be possible to separate the genetic, enzymatic and environmental factors that are responsible for increased vulnerability of some individuals to alcohol abuse

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The Relationship Between Serotonin Receptor 1B Polymorphisms A-161T and Alcohol Dependence

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Published Online: 10 Jun 2009

This study suggests that the 5HT1B gene A-161T polymorphism alone is not a risk factor for increasing susceptibility to either AD or its subtypes. However, 5HT1B gene A-161T polymorphisms might be one of the common genetic factors between the ANX/DEP ALC and antisocial ALC subgroups.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: rblu@mail.ncku.edu.tw

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The Biological Responses to Resveratrol and Other Polyphenols From Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Published Online: 10 Jun 2009

This mini-review summarizes recent studies on the possible mechanisms of action, potential therapeutic uses, and bioavailability of the nonalcoholic constituents of alcoholic beverages, in particular resveratrol and other polyphenols.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: manfred.v.singer@umm.de
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News Release - Constellation Brands Settles FTC Charges That Ads for 'Wide Eye' Caffeinated Alcohol Beverage Were Deceptive

A major U.S. alcohol supplier has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its advertising for the caffeinated alcohol drink Wide Eye was deceptive, unsubstantiated, and in violation of federal law. The proposed settlement bars Constellation Brands, Inc. – which claimed in its ads that consumers who drink Wide Eye will remain alert when consuming alcohol – from making the deceptive claims. . . . . . .


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Reversing the Erosion in Alcohol Taxes Could Help Pay for Health Care Reform

By Chuck Marr and Gillian Brunet

To help pay for health care legislation that extends health insurance to all Americans and slows the growth of health care costs, Congress should consider reversing the substantial real decline in recent decades in federal excise taxes on alcohol. This paper, which is part of a series of papers on proposals to help pay for health reform, outlines three options Congress could consider for increasing alcohol taxes that would raise $27 billion to about $100 billion over ten years. . . . . . .

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From QTL to Candidate Gene: A Genetic Approach to Alcoholism Research

Current Drug Abuse Reviews Volume 2, Number 2, May 2009 pp. 127-134

A major focus of research in alcohol-related disorders is to identify the genes and pathways that modulate alcohol-seeking behavior. In light of this, animal models have been established to study various aspects of alcohol dependence. The selectively bred alcohol-preferring (P) and -nonpreferring (NP) lines were developed from Wistar rats to model high and low voluntary alcohol consumption, respectively.

Using inbred P and NP strains, a strong QTL (LOD-9.2) for alcohol consumption was identified on rat chromosome 4. To search for candidate genes that underlie this chromosomal region, complementary molecular-based strategies were implemented to identify genetic targets that likely contribute to the linkage signal. In an attempt to validate these genetic targets, corroborative studies have been utilized including pharmacological studies, knock-out/transgenic models as well as human association studies.

Thus far, three candidate genes, neuropeptide Y (Npy), α-synuclein (Snca), and corticotrophin-releasing factor receptor 2 (Crhr2), have been identified that may account for the linkage signal.

With the recent advancements in bioinformatics and molecular biology, QTL analysis combined with molecular-based strategies provides a systematic approach to identify candidate genes that contribute to various aspects of addictive behavior.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: lcarr@iupui.edu

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Molecular Genetics of Alcohol Dependence and Related Endophenotypes

Current Genomics, Volume 9, Number 7, November 2008 , pp. 444-451(8)

In accordance with the complexity of the “alcohol dependence” phenotype, another field of research, related to the concept of endophenotypes, received more recent attention. The role of vulnerability genes in alcohol dependence is therefore re-assessed focusing on different phenotypes and endophenotypes. The latter include brain oscillations, EEG alpha and beta variants and alpha power, and amplitude of P300 amplitude elicited from a visual oddball task. Recent enhancement on global characterizations of the genome by high-throughput approach for genotyping of polymorphisms and studies of transcriptomics and proteomics in alcohol dependence is also reviewed.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: philip.gorwood@inserm.fr

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The impact of parental modeling and permissibility on alcohol use and experienced negative drinking consequences in college

Addictive Behaviors Volume 34, Issues 6-7, June-July 2009, Pages 542-547

Results indicate that parental permissibility of alcohol use is a consistent predictor of teen drinking behaviors, which was strongly associated with experienced negative consequences. Parental modeled use of alcohol was also found to be a risk factor, with significant differences being seen across the gender of the parents and teens. Discussion focuses on risk factors and avenues for prevention research.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: cabar@psu.edu

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Novel strategies to mine alcoholism-related haplotypes and genes by combining existing knowledge framework
Science in China Series C: Life Sciences Volume 52, Number 2 / February, 2009 pp. 163-172

High-throughout single nucleotide polymorphism detection technology and the existing knowledge provide strong support for mining the disease-related haplotypes and genes.

In this study, first, we apply four kinds of haplotype identification methods (Confidence Intervals, Four Gamete Tests, Solid Spine of LD and fusing method of haplotype block) into high-throughout SNP genotype data to identify blocks, then use cluster analysis to verify the effectiveness of the four methods, and select the alcoholism-related SNP haplotypes through risk analysis.

Second, we establish a mapping from haplotypes to alcoholism-related genes. Third, we inquire NCBI SNP and gene databases to locate the blocks and identify the candidate genes. In the end, we make gene function annotation by KEGG, Biocarta, and GO database. We find 159 haplotype blocks, which relate to the alcoholism most possibly on chromosome 1∼22, including 227 haplotypes, of which 102 SNP haplotypes may increase the risk of alcoholism. We get 121 alcoholism-related genes and verify their reliability by the functional annotation of biology.

In a word, we not only can handle the SNP data easily, but also can locate the disease-related genes precisely by combining our novel strategies of mining alcoholism-related haplotypes and genes with existing knowledge framework.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: lixia6@yahoo.com
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Large-Scale Ensemble Decision Analysis of Sib-Pair IBD Profiles for Identification of the Relevant Molecular Signatures for Alcoholism

Fuzzy Systems and Knowledge Discovery Second International Conference, FSKD 2005, Changsha, China, August 27-29, 2005, Proceedings, Part II LNAI 3614, pp. 1184 – 1189, 2005.

The large-scale genome-wide SNP data being acquired from biomedical domains have offered resources to evaluate modern data mining techniques in applications to genetic studies.

The purpose of this study is to extend our recently developed gene mining approach to extracting the elevant SNPs for alcoholism using sib-pair IBD profiles of pedigrees.

Application to a publicly available large dataset of 100 simulated replicates for three American populations demonstrates that the proposed ensemble decision approach has successfully identified most of the simulated true loci, thus implicating that IBD statistic could be used as one of the informatics for mining the genetic underpins for complex human diseases.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: lixia @ems.hrbmu.edu.cn

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Consumers Resort to Cheaper Alcohol Due to Levy

Wanetsha Mosinyi & Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe

Due to the 30 percent levy that government imposed on alcohol beverages last November, Sechaba Brewery Holdings says it is evident that consumers have shifted to traditional brews commonly known as Chibuku, instead of the more expensive clear beer. . . . . .

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Reconstructing Generalized Logical Networks of Transcriptional Regulation in Mouse Brain from Temporal Gene Expression Data
EURASIP Journal on Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Volume 2009 (2009), Article ID 545176,

Gene expression time course data can be used not only to detect differentially expressed genes but also to find temporal associations among genes. The problem of reconstructing generalized logical networks to account for temporal dependencies among genes and environmental stimuli from transcriptomic data is addressed.

A network reconstruction algorithm was developed that uses statistical significance as a criterion for network selection to avoid false-positive interactions arising from pure chance. The multinomial hypothesis testing-based network reconstruction allows for explicit specification of the false-positive rate, unique from all extant network inference algorithms. The method is superior to dynamic Bayesian network modeling in a simulation study.

Temporal gene expression data from the brains of alcohol-treated mice in an analysis of the molecular response to alcohol are used for modeling.

Genes from major neuronal pathways are identified as putative components of the alcohol response mechanism. Nine of these genes have associations with alcohol reported in literature. Several other potentially relevant genes, compatible with independent results from literature mining, may play a role in the response to alcohol.

Additional, previously unknown gene interactions were discovered that, subject to biological verification, may offer new clues in the search for the elusive molecular mechanisms of alcoholism.

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Liverpool tops the PCT league for alcohol-related admissions

Researchers at health intelligence firm CHKS and mapping software specialists GeoWise have created a map of drink-related hospital admissions which shows that primary care trusts in the north of England have the highest rates of admission. Liverpool PCT had 161 admissions per 10,000 head of the population, 3.4 times the rate for the Isle of Wight PCT with 47.

To see a fully interactive map click here.

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Workers campaign against alcopops tax


June 10, 2009

Workers who claim they will lose their jobs if the federal government formalises the "alcopops" tax have stepped up their campaign for the levy to be dropped.

The workers from the Independent Distillers factory at Laverton in Melbourne last week marched on the offices of their federal member, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, to protest against a new bid to introduce the tax. . . . . .

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