EPA-0382 – Genetic Alcohol Sensitivity as an Indicator of Mental Disorders

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the association between genetic alcohol sensitivity (ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms) and mental disorders.

Method:

A total of 1945 prefectural civil servants were screened and interviewed regarding their mental disorders by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The mental disorders include major depressive disorder, dysthymia, suicidal risk, manic episode, panic disorder, agora phobia, social phobia, specific phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, general anxiety disorder, alcohol dependence/abuse, substance dependence/abuse, anorexia nervosa, anorexia bulimia, and PTSD. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples. TaqMan? SNP genotyping assays were used for the following (gene, SNP, assay ID): ADH1B, rs1229984, C_2688467_20; ALDH2, rs671, C_11703892_10. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate those genetic polymorphisms and mental disorders adjusting for sex, age, and job rank.

Results:

Alcohol sensitivity was genetically classified into five domains according to the combination of ADH1B and ALDH2 genotypes (type A, B, C, D and E). Preliminary analysis using 497 samples showed that low alcohol sensitivity (type A and B combined) was significantly associated with alcohol dependence/abuse (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.44-5.10) compared to high sensitivity (type C, D, and E combined). Low alcohol sensitivity also showed non-significant modest association with any mental disorders except alcohol-related disorders (OR 1.99, 95% CI 0.72-5.48).

Conclusions:

Low alcohol sensitivity might be associated with mental disorders, especially with alcohol-related disorders. Since the analysis has not been finished yet, the complete results will be shown in the congress.