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Aims: The main aim of the study was to test the moderating effect of two genetic polymorphisms, one in the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) and one in the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1), on the link between parental rule-setting and adolescent alcohol use. Methods: A total of 214 adolescents (Mage =13.7, 44.9% male) provided saliva samples and completed survey items describing alcohol use and parental rule-setting. Results: Findings indicated that alcohol-specific parental rule-setting was more robustly associated with alcohol use for adolescents with the DRD2 A1 risk allele and for those with the OPRM1 G-allele. Conclusion: This study replicates the interaction between parental rule-setting and the DRD2 risk allele on adolescent alcohol use and extends the literature by demonstrating the moderating effects of the OPRM1 risk allele on the link between parental rule-setting and adolescent alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking to cope (i.e., drinking to forget or alleviate negative feelings) has been found to be associated with adolescents' heavy drinking and alcohol-related problems. Additionally, it is widely accepted that genetic factors are involved in alcohol use and dependence. Studies are only beginning to reveal, however, which specific genotypes are related to drinking behaviors, and it is unknown whether they may interact with coping motives in predicting adolescents' risky drinking. The aim of this study was to examine relationships between the dopamine D2 receptor gene ( DRD2) Taq1A polymorphism (rs1800497), a serotonin transporter gene ( SLC6A4) polymorphism (5-HTTLPR), coping motives, and adolescents' binge drinking and alcohol-related problems. Participants in this cross-sectional study were 282 Dutch adolescents (mean age 17.4, 47% men) who had consumed alcohol at least once in their life. Coping motives were positively related to both binge drinking and alcohol-related problems, while DRD2 and SLC6A4 genotypes were not. DRD2, but not the SLC6A4 genotype, interacted with coping motives. The link between coping motives and alcohol outcomes was stronger among those carrying the DRD2 risk (A1) allele. This study extends the present literature by providing additional insight into the etiological factors of adolescent drinking behavior. An interaction between a vulnerability gene ( DRD2) and a cognitive factor (coping drinking) was found to be related to adolescents' binge drinking and alcohol-related problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To discuss the current status of gene–environment interaction research with regard to alcohol use and dependence. Further, we highlight the difficulties concerning gene–environment studies. Methods Overview of the current evidence for gene–environment interactions in alcohol outcomes, and of the associated challenges in gene–environment studies. Results Attention to the causative roles of gene–environment interactions in alcohol use and dependence is increasing. Studies with twin designs are beginning to examine gene-shared environment effects, and animal studies have investigated gene–environment interaction effects on alcohol intake in primates. Thirteen studies incorporated gene–environment interactions in examining alcohol use or dependence in humans. These studies held a variety of candidate genes and environmental risk factors and their heterogeneity made it impossible to draw firm general conclusions. Conclusions Challenges for future gene–environment studies are abundant, and consist of, for example, the development of clear theoretical assumptions about neurobiological mechanisms and the recruitment of large longitudinal samples that already start in childhood. Replication is essential to prevent an overload of false-positive results. Despite the difficulties, it is crucial to include gene–environment interactions in future studies in order to unravel the aetiological factors of human alcohol outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]