Relationship between the serotonin transporter polymorphism and obsessive–compulsive alcohol craving in alcohol-dependent adults: a pilot study

A serotonin deficiency state has been implicated in alcohol-dependent individuals' experience of obsessive–compulsive alcohol craving. Because the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) functions to remove serotonin from the synapse, it is thought that increased reuptake (indicated by the number of high-expressing LA alleles present in the 5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region [5-HTTLPR] of the SLC6A4 gene) is associated with an increase in obsessive–compulsive alcohol craving. The current pilot investigation sought to explore this hypothesis by examining the extent to which obsessive–compulsive alcohol craving varies by 5-HTTLPR genotype among participants enrolled in an ongoing pharmacogenetics trial. All participants were screened with a semi-structured diagnostic interview, completed self-report measures of alcohol-related behavior, and underwent peripheral venous blood draw for DNA genotyping. Cross-sectional data obtained at baseline from 176 currently drinking alcohol-dependent individuals were analyzed using multiple regression. Preliminary findings suggest that 5-HTTLPR is not predictive of Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale total and factor scores. Although the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was not related to obsessive–compulsive alcohol craving in this pilot study, additional research is needed to clarify the possible role of serotonergic mechanisms in alcohol craving.