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Gerring ZF, Thorp JG, Treur JL, Verweij KJH, Derks EM. The genetic landscape of substance use disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02547-z. [PMID: 38811691 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02547-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Substance use disorders represent a significant public health concern with considerable socioeconomic implications worldwide. Twin and family-based studies have long established a heritable component underlying these disorders. In recent years, genome-wide association studies of large, broadly phenotyped samples have identified regions of the genome that harbour genetic risk variants associated with substance use disorders. These regions have enabled the discovery of putative causal genes and improved our understanding of genetic relationships among substance use disorders and other traits. Furthermore, the integration of these data with clinical information has yielded promising insights into how individuals respond to medications, allowing for the development of personalized treatment approaches based on an individual's genetic profile. This review article provides an overview of recent advances in the genetics of substance use disorders and demonstrates how genetic data may be used to reduce the burden of disease and improve public health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary F Gerring
- Translational Neurogenomics Laboratory, Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jackson G Thorp
- Translational Neurogenomics Laboratory, Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jorien L Treur
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Karin J H Verweij
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eske M Derks
- Translational Neurogenomics Laboratory, Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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2
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O'Farrell F, Aleyakpo B, Mustafa R, Jiang X, Pinto RC, Elliott P, Tzoulaki I, Dehghan A, Loh SHY, Barclay JW, Martins LM, Pazoki R. Evidence for involvement of the alcohol consumption WDPCP gene in lipid metabolism, and liver cirrhosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20616. [PMID: 37996473 PMCID: PMC10667215 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47371-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological pathways between alcohol consumption and alcohol liver disease (ALD) are not fully understood. We selected genes with known effect on (1) alcohol consumption, (2) liver function, and (3) gene expression. Expression of the orthologs of these genes in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster was suppressed using mutations and/or RNA interference (RNAi). In humans, association analysis, pathway analysis, and Mendelian randomization analysis were performed to identify metabolic changes due to alcohol consumption. In C. elegans, we found a reduction in locomotion rate after exposure to ethanol for RNAi knockdown of ACTR1B and MAPT. In Drosophila, we observed (1) a change in sedative effect of ethanol for RNAi knockdown of WDPCP, TENM2, GPN1, ARPC1B, and SCN8A, (2) a reduction in ethanol consumption for RNAi knockdown of TENM2, (3) a reduction in triradylglycerols (TAG) levels for RNAi knockdown of WDPCP, TENM2, and GPN1. In human, we observed (1) a link between alcohol consumption and several metabolites including TAG, (2) an enrichment of the candidate (alcohol-associated) metabolites within the linoleic acid (LNA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) metabolism pathways, (3) a causal link between gene expression of WDPCP to liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis. Our results imply that WDPCP might be involved in ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix O'Farrell
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University, London, UB8 3PH, UK
| | | | - Rima Mustafa
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Xiyun Jiang
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University, London, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Rui Climaco Pinto
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Paul Elliott
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, W12 0NN, UK
- National Institute for Health Research, Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Health Data Research UK at Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Ioanna Tzoulaki
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Abbas Dehghan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Samantha H Y Loh
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Gleeson Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Jeff W Barclay
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Cell Signalling, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK
| | - L Miguel Martins
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Gleeson Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Raha Pazoki
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Group, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University, London, UB8 3PH, UK.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK.
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University, London, UB8 3PH, UK.
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Carvajal F, Sánchez-Gil A, Cardona D, Rincón-Cervera MA, Lerma-Cabrera JM. The Effect of Very-Long-Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Central Nervous System and Their Potential Benefits for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder: Reviewing Pre-Clinical and Clinical Data. Nutrients 2023; 15:2993. [PMID: 37447319 DOI: 10.3390/nu15132993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use poses a significant global health concern, leading to serious physical and socioeconomic issues worldwide. The current treatment options for problematic alcohol consumption are limited, leading to the exploration of alternative approaches, such as nutraceuticals. One promising target is very-long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC n-3 PUFAs). This review aims to compile the most relevant pre-clinical and clinical evidence on the effect of VLC n-3 PUFAs on alcohol use disorders and related outcomes. The findings suggest that VLC n-3 PUFAs may alleviate the physiological changes induced by alcohol consumption, including neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter dysregulation. Additionally, they can reduce withdrawal symptoms, improve mood, and reduce stress level, all of which are closely associated with problematic alcohol consumption. However, more research is required to fully understand the precise mechanisms by which VLC n-3 PUFAs exert their function. Furthermore, PUFAs should not be considered a standalone solution, but as a complement to other therapeutic approaches. Although preliminary evidence supports the potential therapeutic effect of VLC n-3 PUFAs on problematic alcohol consumption, additional research is needed to validate these findings and determine the optimal use of PUFAs as part of a comprehensive approach to the treatment of alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Carvajal
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Sánchez-Gil
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
| | - Diana Cardona
- Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Rincón-Cervera
- Food Technology Division, ceiA3, CIAMBITAL, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, Santiago 830490, Chile
| | - Jose Manuel Lerma-Cabrera
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
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Aliev F, Barr PB, Davies AG, Dick DM, Bettinger J. Genes regulating levels of ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with alcohol use disorder and consumption, and broader externalizing behavior in humans. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2022; 46:1657-1664. [PMID: 35904282 PMCID: PMC9509483 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individual variation in the physiological response to alcohol is predictive of an individual's likelihood to develop alcohol use disorder (AUD). Evidence from diverse model organisms indicates that the levels of long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 LC-PUFAs) can modulate the behavioral response to ethanol and therefore may impact the propensity to develop AUD. While most ω-3 LC-PUFAs come from diet, humans can produce these fatty acids from shorter chain precursors through a series of enzymatic steps. Natural variation in the genes encoding these enzymes has been shown to affect ω-3 LC-PUFA levels. We hypothesized that variation in these genes could contribute to the susceptibility to develop AUD. METHODS We identified nine genes (FADS1, FADS2, FADS3, ELOVL2, GCKR, ELOVL1, ACOX1, APOE, and PPARA) that are required to generate ω-3 LC-PUFAs and/or have been shown or predicted to affect ω-3 LC-PUFA levels. Using both set-based and gene-based analyses we examined their association with AUD and two AUD-related phenotypes, alcohol consumption, and an externalizing phenotype. RESULTS We found that the set of nine genes is associated with all three phenotypes. When examined individually, GCKR, FADS2, and ACOX1 showed significant association signals with alcohol consumption. GCKR was significantly associated with AUD. ELOVL1 and APOE were associated with externalizing. CONCLUSIONS Taken together with observations that dietary ω-3 LC-PUFAs can affect ethanol-related phenotypes, this work suggests that these fatty acids provide a link between the environmental and genetic influences on the risk of developing AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazil Aliev
- Department of PsychologyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Peter B. Barr
- Department of PsychologyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral SciencesSUNY Downstate Health Sciences UniversityBrooklynNew YorkUSA
| | - Andrew G. Davies
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
- Virginia Commonwealth University Alcohol Research CenterRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Danielle M. Dick
- Department of PsychologyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
- Virginia Commonwealth University Alcohol Research CenterRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Jill C. Bettinger
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
- Virginia Commonwealth University Alcohol Research CenterRichmondVirginiaUSA
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