Binge drinking in Chinese, Korean, and White college students: Genetic and ethnic group differences.

Studies of Asian college students have found that rates of binge drinking are associated with variation in the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) gene. Chinese and Koreans have different prevalence rates of the ALDH2?*?2 allele, alcohol use, and alcoholism. The association of ALDH2 status and ethnic group with binge drinking was examined in 328 Chinese, Korean, and White college students. Ethnic group differences were found, with Whites having the highest rate of binge drinking, followed by Koreans and then Chinese. Among Asian participants, ALDH2 status and ethnicity related to binge drinking in an additive manner. Possessing an ALDH2?*?2 allele and being Chinese were protective factors, and being White and being Korean without an ALDH2?*?2 allele were risk factors for binge drinking. These results suggest that ALDH2 status, as well as other factors that differ in Koreans and Chinese, but do not interact with ALDH2, are associated with binge drinking among Asians. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Meta-analyses of ALDH2 and ADH1B with alcohol dependence in Asians.

Meta-analyses were conducted to determine the magnitude of relationships between polymorphisms in 2 genes, ALDH2 and ADH1B, with alcohol dependence in Asians. For each gene, possession of 1 variant *2 allele was protective against alcohol dependence, and possession of a 2nd *2 allele did not offer significant additional protection. The protective effects of these 2 gene polymorphisms were independent. Diagnostic criteria, recruitment strategy, and Japanese ethnicity moderated the effect of ALDH2*2. Recruitment strategy and gender moderated the effect of ADH1B*2. These findings highlight the importance of methodological issues and potential gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that must be considered when examining relationships between genetic polymorphisms and phenotypes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

ALDH2, ADH1B and alcohol expectancies: Integrating genetic and learning perspectives.

The present study evaluated associations of ALDH2 and ADH1B genotypes with alcohol expectancies and drinking behavior in a sample of Asian American young adults. In addition to assessing global alcohol expectancies, the authors developed a measure of physiological expectancies to evaluate an expectancy phenotype specific to the mechanism by which ALDH2 and ADH1B variations presumably influence drinking behavior. Compared with individuals with the ALDH2*1/*1 genotype, those with the ALDH2*2 allele reported greater negative alcohol expectancies, greater expectancies for physiological effects of alcohol and lower rates of alcohol use. ADH1B was not associated with alcohol expectancies or drinking behavior. Hierarchical models showed that demographic factors, ALDH2 genotype, and expectancy variables explained unique variance in drinking outcomes. Mediation tests showed significant indirect effects of ALDH2 on drinking frequency and peak lifetime consumption through expectancies. These results provide support for influences of genetic factors and alcohol sensitivity on alcohol-related learning and suggest the importance of developing biopsychosocial models of drinking behavior in Asian Americans. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Genetic Associations of Alcohol Dehydrogenase With Alcohol Use Disorders and Endophenotypes in White College Students.

Associations of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) gene polymorphisms (ADH1B*2 and ADH1C*1) with a lifetime alcohol use disorder (AUD) were examined in White college students. Alcohol-related endophenotypes likely to be influenced by elevations in acetaldehyde were also assessed. Individuals with an ADH1B*2 allele had lower rates of AUDs, consumed a lower maximum number of drinks in a 24-hr period, reported a greater level of response to alcohol, were more likely to have experienced alcohol-induced headaches following 1 or 2 drinks, and reported more severe hangovers than those lacking this allele. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that enhanced sensitivity to alcohol and lower levels of alcohol use reflect the mechanism by which ADH1B*2 protects against developing an AUD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Genotypes of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase and their significance for alcohol sensitivity

Genotypes of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) loci were determined, using allele specific oligonucleotides. Gene frequencies of ADH2(1) and ADH2(2) were 0.29 and 0.71, respectively, in the Japanese control group. No significant difference was found in the ADH2 genotype between the patients and the control group. Gene frequency of ALDH2(1) and ALDH2(2) were 0.65 and 0.35 in the control group, while 0.93 and 0.07, respectively in the patient group. Most of the patients, 20 out of 23, were homozygous Caucasian type. All individuals with homozygous atypical ALDH2(2)/ALDH2(2) and most of those with heterozygous atypical ALDH2(1)/ALDH2(1) were alcohol flushers, while all of the usual ALDH2(1)/ALDH2(1) were nonflushers. The results indicate that Japanese with the atypical ALDH2(2) allele are at a much lower risk in developing alcoholic liver disease than those with usual ALDH2(1)/ALDH2(1), presumably due to their sensitivity to alcohol intoxication.     

A genetic association with the development of alcohol and other substance use behavior in Asian Americans.

Studies of Asian adults have found that alcohol use and alcohol dependence are related to variation in the aldehyde, dehydrogenase (ALDH2) gene. To investigate the association of ALDH2 with the development of drug involvement, the authors analyzed retrospective information about the onset and regular use of alcohol and other substances as reported by 180 Asian American college students. Possession of an ALDH2*2 allele was not related to initiation of alcohol use or having ever been intoxicated, but individuals with ALDH2*2 alleles were less likely to be regular drinkers, were less likely to have engaged in a binge-drinking episode, reported a lower number of maximum drinks consumed in a 24-hr period, and were less likely to have used tobacco regularly than those without this genetic variant. These findings suggest that ALDH2 is associated with the development of not only alcohol-related behavior but other substance use behavior as well. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparison of screening instruments for alcohol problems between black and white emergency room patients from two regions of the country

A number of brief screening instruments to identify alcohol dependence exist, but the validity of these instruments across ethnic groups or regions of the country is not well established. The sensitivity and specificity of a number of standard screening instruments (CAGE, brief MAST, AUDIT, TWEAK, and RAPS), as well as other measures (History of Trauma Scale, breathalyzer reading, self-reported drinking before the event, and consuming five or more drinks at a sitting at least monthly) are compared against ICD-10 and DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence between probability samples of Black and White emergency room patients in Santa Clara County, CA (n = 716) and in Jackson, MS (n = 1330). Variability in the sensitivity of screening instruments among current drinkers was found to be greater between samples for both Blacks and Whites, than for Blacks compared with Whites within the same sample. The AUDIT, TWEAK, and RAPS seemed to perform well by gender and injury status for both Blacks and Whites in the two samples, and no significant differences were found in the performance of these instruments across sample sites. To evaluate the influence of regional differences in alcohol dependence on differences found in the performance of screening instruments, using logistic regression with the simultaneous entry of demographic variables (age, gender, ethnicity, injury status, and site) and drinking variables (breathalyzer reading, self-reported drinking before the event, and drinking five or more drinks at a sitting at least monthly) to predict alcohol dependence in a merged sample of these patients (Jackson vs. Santa Clara) site was not found to be significant. Data suggest that, whereas region of the country may not be important in predicting alcohol dependence in emergency room populations, regional differences in the performance of screening instruments for alcohol dependence may exist, even when ethnicity is taken into account. Given distinct regional differences in drinking patterns and problems in the U.S., further research on commonly used screening instruments is needed to determine those screeners most efficient for identifying problem drinking.     

Alcohol primes, expectancies, and the working self-concept.

Previous research has shown that alcohol consumption can lead to momentary changes in the self-concept (e.g., Steele & Josephs, 1990). In two studies (n = 150), we examined whether the implicit activation of alcohol expectancies (i.e., sociability-related expectancies) would also lead to changes in self-perception. To test this idea, participants first completed a measure of sociability-related alcohol expectancies. In a subsequent laboratory session, participants were exposed to either alcohol-related primes (i.e., pictures or words associated with alcohol) or neutral primes. After the priming task, participants completed an ostensibly unrelated self-concept survey that contained words related to sociability (e.g., “outgoing”) and nonsociability related words (e.g., “clever”). For both studies, results revealed that sociability-related alcohol expectancies were positively associated with sociability-related self-concept ratings for participants exposed to alcohol primes, but not for participants exposed to the neutral primes. Implications for the role implicit self-concept activation may have on drinking behaviors are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The management of unexplained infertility

Since allyl alcohol and ethanol are both metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), ethanol could affect allyl-alcohol induced toxicity under in vivo coexposure conditions. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with ethanol (2 g/kg, i.p.) simultaneously or 2 h before with allyl alcohol (40 mg/kg, i.p.). Coexposure to allyl alcohol and ethanol resulted in neither enhancement nor protection in allyl alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity at 24 h. However, markedly increased lethality was observed under our coexposure conditions. Pretreatment with 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP) to inhibit ADH did not result in increased lethality to allyl alcohol or ethanol alone, but significantly reduced the lethality of the combined treatment. In contrast, ALDH inhibition increased the lethality of allyl alcohol alone as well as that of the combined allyl alcohol and ethanol treatment. Kinetic studies revealed that combined treatment with allyl alcohol and ethanol resulted in higher blood allyl alcohol levels compared to allyl alcohol alone, and these were accompanied by greater lethality. ADH inhibition increased allyl alcohol blood levels significantly when rats were treated with allyl alcohol alone or allyl alcohol plus ethanol, leading to protection against lethality. In contrast, ALDH inhibition did not affect blood allyl alcohol levels, but resulted in increased lethality. These data suggest a possible role for a metabolite of allyl alcohol, acrolein, in the increased lethality of allyl alcohol and ethanol coexposure in rats.     

Psychopathology as a predictor of adolescent drug use trajectories.

The authors examined early psychopathology as a predictor of trajectories of drug use from ages 13-18 years. Six years of annual data were analyzed for 506 boys using a mixed effects polynomial growth curve model. They tested whether distinct measures of psychopathology and behavioral problems (i.e., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, depression, and violence) assessed in early adolescence could prospectively predict level and change in alcohol and marijuana use. Higher levels of all of the types of psychopathology predicted higher levels of alcohol use, and higher levels of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and violence predicted higher levels of marijuana use. Only conduct disorder predicted linear growth in alcohol use, and none of the measures predicted growth in marijuana use. The results suggest that drug use prevention programs should target youths with early symptoms of psychopathology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The influence of general identity disturbance on reports of lifetime substance use disorders and related outcomes among sexual minority adults with a history of substance use.

Previous research has shown that sexual minority (i.e., nonheterosexual) individuals report increased problematic substance use involvement, compared with their sexual majority counterparts. We hypothesize that feelings of an unstable sense of self (i.e., identity disturbance) may potentially drive problematic substance use. The purpose of the current study is to examine identity disturbance among sexual minorities as a potential explanatory mechanism of increased sexual minority lifetime rates of substance dependence. Measures of identity disturbance and three indicators of sexual orientation from lifetime female (n = 16,629) and male (n = 13,553) alcohol/illicit drug users in Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) were examined. Findings generally showed that the increased prevalence of alcohol dependence, illicit drug dependence, and combined alcohol/illicit drug dependence as well as a younger age of alcohol use initiation among sexual minority women was associated with elevated levels of identity disturbance. The results were consistent with a mediational role for identity disturbance in explaining the association between sexual minority status and substance dependence and were generally replicated among male sexual minority respondents. The current research suggests that identity disturbance, a predictor of substance use, may contribute to heightened risk for substance dependence among certain subgroups of sexual minority individuals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social environmental selection as a mediator of gender, ethnic, and personality effects on college student drinking.

Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediational role of social environmental selection on alcohol use in cross-sectional samples of 447 students from a rural state university and 421 students from an urban private university. Results showed that male gender, White ethnicity, and sensation seeking were uniquely associated with greater alcohol use. Mediational analyses indicated that socioenvironmental factors (i.e., Greek involvement, friends' approval of drinking/getting drunk) were positively associated with alcohol use and significantly accounted for parts of the effects of ethnicity and sensation seeking, but not gender, on alcohol use. Results suggest that White students and those high on sensation seeking may drink more heavily in college, in part because they select social environments in which alcohol use is encouraged. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Community studies on adolescent substance use, abuse, or dependence and psychiatric comorbidity.

A literature review on community studies of adolescent substance use, abuse, or dependence (SU/A/D) and psychiatric comorbidity yielded 22 articles from 15 studies with information on rates, specificity, timing, and differential patterns of comorbidity by gender, race/ethnicity, and other factors. Results revealed that 60% of youths with SU/A/D had a comorbid diagnosis, and conduct disorder (CD) and oppositional defiant disorder (not attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) were most commonly associated with SU/A/D, followed by depression. Child psychopathology (particularly CD) was associated with early onset of substance use and abuse in later adolescence. The authors suggest that available data relevant to SU/A/D and psychiatric comorbidity can be used to better address such questions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Polymorphism in ALDH2-genotype in Japanese men and the alcohol-blood pressure relationship

Aldehyde dehydrogenase with a low Michaelis constant (Km), ALDH2, is a major enzyme involved in the conversion of acetaldehyde, a toxic metabolite of ethanol, into acetic acid in the liver. Inherited deficiency of ALDH2 activity is found in half of Japanese, and is characterized by "Oriental flushing" after alcohol consumption. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of the genetic polymorphism in alcohol metabolism on the sensitivity to the pressor effect of alcohol. Genotypes of ALDH2 were determined in 403 middle-aged Japanese men using genomic DNA extracted from white blood cells. Two hundred and forty-three (60%) of the subjects were shown to be homozygotes for the normal ALDH2 gene, 25 (6%) of the subjects were homozygotes for the mutant ALDH2 gene, and the remaining 135 (33%) were heterozygotes. None of the homozygotes for the mutant gene drank enough to show the pressor effect of alcohol. Elevations of blood pressure associated with increasing alcohol consumption or with elevations of serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptide (GTP) level were not different between the other two ALDH2-genotypes. It can be concluded that polymorphism in the ALDH2-genotype found in Japanese men does not affect the individual sensitivity to the pressor effect of alcohol.     

Alcohol dependence and domestic violence as sequelae of abuse and conduct disorder in childhood

OBJECTIVES: To examine in the Navajo population: (1) the importance of childhood abuse as a risk factor for conduct disorder; (2) the importance of each form of abuse and conduct disorder as risk factors for alcohol dependence; and (3) the relative importance of each form of abuse, conduct disorder, and alcohol dependence as risk factors for being a perpetrator and/or victim of domestic violence. METHOD: The study is based on a case-control design. Cases (204 men and 148 women) between the ages of 21 and 65 were interviewed in alcohol treatment program and matched to community controls. There were two groups of controls: alcohol dependent (374 men, 60 women) and nonalcohol dependent (157 men, 143 women). When adjusted for stratification by age, community of residence, and sex, the combined control groups comprise a representative sample of the Navajo male and female population 21-65 years of age. RESULTS: The prevalence of physical and sexual abuse before age 15 is within limits observed in other populations. Each form of abuse is a risk factor for conduct disorder. Along with conduct disorder, physical abuse is a risk factor for alcohol dependence. Physical abuse and alcohol dependence are independent risk factors for being involved in domestic violence as both perpetrator and victim. There appears to have been no secular trend in the incidence of childhood abuse over the past several generations, but there is suggestive evidence that domestic violence has become more common. CONCLUSIONS: Physical abuse is a significant risk factor for alcohol dependence as well as for domestic violence independent of the effects of alcohol abuse. The effects of sexual abuse with regard to both domestic violence and alcohol dependence do not appear to be significant.     

Ocular and palpebral surgery: indications and limits

The alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) and their genes (Adh) of Drosophila have been much studied by population and evolutionary biologists. I attempt to put some of these studies into a broad adaptionist perspective, suggesting the co-evolution of this enzyme with the fleshy fruits of angiosperms and fermenting yeasts. I suggest that these events occurred at about the K/T boundary (65 million years ago) and that the typical Drosophila (as exemplified by D. melanogaster) evolved from flies unable to use fermenting substrates as breeding sites. I also hint that the ADH enzymes of other flies (e.g., the tephritid fruit flies) may have evolved independently of those of Drosophila, but from a common ancestral gene.     

What is the latent structure of alcohol use disorders? A taxometric analysis of the Personality Assessment Inventory Alcohol Problems Scale in male and female prison inmates.

Three indicators derived from the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) Alcohol Problems scale (ALC)—tolerance/high consumption, loss of control, and negative social and psychological consequences—were subjected to taxometric analysis—mean above minus below a cut (MAMBAC), maximum covariance (MAXCOV), and latent mode factor analysis (L-Mode)—in 1,374 federal prison inmates (905 males, 469 females). Whereas the total sample yielded ambiguous results, the male subsample produced dimensional results, and the female subsample produced taxonic results. Interpreting these findings in light of previous taxometric research on alcohol abuse and dependence it is speculated that while alcohol use disorders may be taxonic in female offenders, they are probably both taxonic and dimensional in male offenders. Two models of male alcohol use disorder in males are considered, one in which the diagnostic features are categorical and the severity of symptomatology is dimensional, and one in which some diagnostic features (e.g., withdrawal) are taxonic and other features (e.g., social problems) are dimensional. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use Disorders and Personality Disorder Symptoms.

In a nonclinical sample of 395 young adults, the authors evaluated the relations between major personality traits, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) personality disorder symptoms, and DSM-IV alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Consistent with previous findings, traits related to disinhibition and negative affectivity were consistently associated with AUDs, as were Cluster B personality disorder symptoms (especially antisocial and borderline disorder symptoms). Multivariate analyses revealed that Cluster B symptoms were significantly associated with AUDs above and beyond what was accounted for by personality traits. Further, the authors found differential patterns of relations between other substance use disorders (SUDs; i.e., tobacco dependence and drug use diagnoses) and personality disorder symptoms. Overall, these results suggest that personality disorder symptoms predict unique variance in SUDs that reflect maladaptive aspects of personality traits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

ADH genotypes and alcohol use and dependence in Europeans

We have tested for effects of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) genotypes on self-reported alcohol consumption and symptoms of alcohol dependence, recorded on three occasions up to 15 years apart, in 377 male and female subjects of European descent. ADH2 genotype had significant effects on both consumption and dependence in the men, but not in the women. The effects of ADH3 genotype were considerably less than those of ADH2, but significant results could be demonstrated when the combined genotypes were considered. The direction of the effects on alcohol consumption and dependence risk were consistent with reports on Asian subjects, and with the in vitro properties of ADH isoenzymes. As with previous studies on the relationship between ADH type and alcohol use, population stratification cannot be excluded as a contributing factor in these results.