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A meta-analysis of the associations between the SLC6A4 promoter polymorphism (5HTTLPR) and the risk for alcohol dependence. Psychiatr Genet 2015 Apr;25(2):47-58

Date

02/25/2015

Pubmed ID

25710844

DOI

10.1097/YPG.0000000000000078

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84924721313 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   19 Citations

Abstract

Serotonin reuptake variation is linked to a functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the SLC6A4 gene on chromosome 17. It is plausible that variations in genetically determined SLC6A4 activity may modify the risk for alcohol dependence. To determine whether this allele is associated with alcohol dependence, the authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. Twenty-five studies including 8885 participants were reviewed and analyzed. The meta-analysis was carried out using a random-effects model. Overall, the results did not support an association between alcohol dependence and the SLC6A4 promoter polymorphism for the dominant, recessive, and additive genetic risk models, respectively [odds ratio (OR)=0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83, 1.18), OR=0.86 (95% CI: 0.71, 1.03), and OR=0.88 (95% CI: 0.69, 1.13)]. When effect modification was tested for sex, race/ethnicity, presence/absence of a psychiatric disorder, year of publication, and diagnostic criteria, none of the factors were found to be significantly associated with alcohol dependence. The findings in this meta-analysis suggest that the SLC6A4 promoter polymorphism is not associated with alcohol dependence.

Author List

Villalba K, Attonito J, Mendy A, Devieux JG, Gasana J, Dorak TM

Author

Janvier Gasana MD, MPH, PhD Adjunct Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Alcoholism
Case-Control Studies
Genetic Association Studies
Humans
Polymorphism, Genetic
Promoter Regions, Genetic
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins