Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access published online on March 25, 2008
Alcohol and Alcoholism, doi:10.1093/alcalc/agn015
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The Short Allele of the Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism Influences Relapse in Alcohol Dependence
1 Department of Psychiatry, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
2 INSERM U675, Faculté Xavier Bichat, University Paris VII, Paris, France
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Psychiatry, University of Liège, CHU Sart Tilman B35, B-4000 Liège, Belgium. Tel.: +32-4-366-79-60; Fax: +32-4-366-72-83; E-mail: epinto{at}chu.ulg.ac.be.
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Abstract |
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Aims: The short (S) allele of the serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) contributes to the risk of alcohol dependence and co-occurring clinical features. We studied the putative link between this allele and relapse. Methods: 48 alcohol-dependent male patients were recruited and genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR. Relapse to alcohol drinking was monitored during 3 months after standardized withdrawal. Results: The S allele was significantly associated with relapse (p = 0.008) while no other factor that was measured played a significant role. Conclusions: The S allele of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism may influence the risk of relapse in abstinent alcohol-dependent patients, possibly through intermediate phenotypes.