Association between Alcoholism and the Genetic Polymorphisms of the GABA(A) Receptor Genes on Chromosome 5q33-34 in Korean Population

Family, twin, and adoption studies have demonstrated that genes play an important role in the development of alcoholism. We investigated the association between alcoholism and the genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(A) receptor genes on chromosome 5q33-34 in Korean population. The genotype of the GABA(A) receptor gene polymorphisms were determined by performing polymerase chain reaction genotyping for 172 normal controls and 162 male alcoholics who are hospitalized in alcoholism treatment institute. We found a significant association between the genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(A) α1 and GABA(A) α6 receptor gene and alcoholism. The GG genotype of the GABA(A) α1 receptor gene was associated with the onset age of alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and a high score on the Korean version of the ADS. However, there was no association between the genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(A) β2 and γ2 receptor gene and alcoholisms. Our finding suggest that genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(A) α1 and GABA(A) α6 receptor gene may be associated with the development of alcoholism and that the GG genotype of the GABA(A) α1 receptor gene play an important role in the development of the early onset and the severe type of alcoholism.