BACKGROUND: Jews have lower rates of alcohol-related problems than other Caucasians. The ADH2*2 allele of the alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ADH2 ) gene protects against alcoholism in Asians and is found in approximately 20% of Jews. We studied the relationship of ADH2*2 to DSM-IV dependence severity in a random community sample of Israeli Ashkenazis, recent Russian immigrants (also Ashkenazis), and Sephardics. METHODS: Subjects participated in a structured interview that included highly reliable questions on DSM-IV alcohol dependence symptoms. ADH2 genotype was determined for 68 subjects. RESULTS: Recent Russian immigrants had more past and lifetime DSM-IV dependence symptoms. Sephardics had a higher prevalence of ADH2*2 than Ashkenazis. Controlling for group and other potentially confounding factors, ADH2*2 was associated with a lower lifetime DSM-IV alcohol dependence severity, although this differed somewhat within groups. CONCLUSIONS: ADH2*2 protects against dependence severity in Jewish samples. Future work in larger samples should address genetic and environmental factors that affect the relationship of ADH2*2 to alcohol consumption and dependence.
BACKGROUND: Jews have lower rates of alcohol-related problems than other Caucasians. The ADH2*2 allele of the alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ADH2 ) gene protects against alcoholism in Asians and is found in approximately 20% of Jews. We studied the relationship of ADH2*2 to DSM-IV dependence severity in a random community sample of Israeli Ashkenazis, recent Russian immigrants (also Ashkenazis), and Sephardics. METHODS: Subjects participated in a structured interview that included highly reliable questions on DSM-IV alcohol dependence symptoms. ADH2 genotype was determined for 68 subjects. RESULTS: Recent Russian immigrants had more past and lifetime DSM-IV dependence symptoms. Sephardics had a higher prevalence of ADH2*2 than Ashkenazis. Controlling for group and other potentially confounding factors, ADH2*2 was associated with a lower lifetime DSM-IV alcohol dependence severity, although this differed somewhat within groups. CONCLUSIONS:ADH2*2 protects against dependence severity in Jewish samples. Future work in larger samples should address genetic and environmental factors that affect the relationship of ADH2*2 to alcohol consumption and dependence.
Authors: Ian R Gizer; Howard J Edenberg; David A Gilder; Kirk C Wilhelmsen; Cindy L Ehlers Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2011-06-02 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Jacquelyn L Meyers; Dvora Shmulewitz; Jennifer C Elliott; Ronald G Thompson; Efrat Aharonovich; Baruch Spivak; Abraham Weizman; Amos Frisch; Bridget F Grant; Deborah S Hasin Journal: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Date: 2014-09 Impact factor: 2.582
Authors: Christian S Hendershot; Susan E Collins; William H George; Tamara L Wall; Denis M McCarthy; Tiebing Liang; Mary E Larimer Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2009-03-06 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Ronald G Thompson; Dvora Shmulewitz; Jacquelyn L Meyers; Malki Stohl; Efrat Aharonovich; Baruch Spivak; Abraham Weizman; Amos Frisch; Bridget F Grant; Deborah S Hasin Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2014-05-28 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Christian S Hendershot; Clayton Neighbors; William H George; Denis M McCarthy; Tamara L Wall; Tiebing Liang; Mary E Larimer Journal: Psychol Addict Behav Date: 2009-09