Genetic Polymorphisms on OPRM1, DRD2, DRD4, and COMT in Young Adults: Lack of Association With Alcohol Consumption

Abstract

Background:Risk behaviors for young adults such as alcohol use are associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Patterns of risk behavior may be genetically determined and vary between genders. Previous studies in both young adults and heavy drinking adult samples have demonstrated that some genotypes, such asOPRM1A118G,COMTVal158Met andDRD2Taq1A andDRD4C52IT, may predict addictive behaviors including alcohol consumption and impulsivity, although results have been mixed.Methods:This study aimed to investigate the predictive relationship of these four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) prospectively on student patterns of drinking using a micro-longitudinal daily diary design in a sample of 628 young adults ages 18–25 of predominantly of European ethnicity. Linear mixed models were used to examine the effect of SNPs on the number of drinks per drinking session with gender as a moderating variable.Results:There were no main effects for genotype on alcohol consumption, nor for gender × genotype for any of the SNPs. There was a trend for an effect of theDRD2Taq1A on the number of drinks per drinking day and for the interaction of gender andDRD2Taq1A on the number of drinks per drinking day.Conclusion:These findings suggest that theDRD2Taq1A, OPRM1A118G,DRD4C521T, orCOMTVal158Met polymorphisms, are not associated with alcohol consumption in young adults, although there may be a relationship betweenDRD2Taq1A and alcohol consumption in young adult males.