Serotonin 2A receptor gene (HTR2A) polymorphism in alcohol-dependent patients

BackgroundThe serotonergic (5-HT) dysfunction has been frequently described in subjects with alcohol dependence (AD). In the present study, a potential relationship between T102C polymorphism in the 5-HT receptor subtype 2A gene (HTR2A) and alcohol dependence was examined.MethodsGenotypes were analyzed in 150 AD patients diagnosed with DSM-IV criteria and in 80 healthy controls.ResultsThe genetic analysis showed that the frequency of 102C allele and C102C genotype in AD subjects was significantly higher than in controls. Moreover, AD patients homozygous for C allele had significantly lower age at onset of alcohol problems than subjects having at least one T allele.ConclusionsThe results suggest a potential role of the T102C HTR2A polymorphism in development of alcohol dependence.