Association between Fok I vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphism and impulsivity in alcohol-dependent patients

Mol Biol Rep. 2014 Nov;41(11):7223-8. doi: 10.1007/s11033-014-3607-6. Epub 2014 Jul 25.

Abstract

Vitamin D appears to have an important role in the modulation of the central nervous system. Vitamin D exerts its biological effects through its interaction with the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Located on chromosome 12 (12q13.1), the VDR gene has many different polymorphisms. Some of them are known to affect the VDR function, such as FokI (rs2228570, T/C) single nucleotide polymorphism. We aimed to explore a potential relationship between FokI VDR polymorphism and impulsiveness in alcohol-dependent (AD) patients. The study population consisted of 148 patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence (DSM-IV criteria) and 212 healthy controls. DNA was extracted from whole blood samples using the standard procedure. Genotypes were analyzed using a real-time PCR method. We found that FokI VDR gene polymorphism was associated with impulsivity [Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS)-11 total score; P = 0.014], and with attentional impulsivity (BIS-11 subscale; P = 0.002) in the male AD patients. Our results suggest that CC FokI genotype of the VDR gene is associated with a higher level of impulsivity in these patients. This finding supports the hypothesis that impulsiveness, which significantly contributes to development of alcohol dependence, has a genetic background.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / genetics
  • Alcoholism / physiopathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12 / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / physiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Poland
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / genetics*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Substances

  • Receptors, Calcitriol