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Review
. 2009 Apr;10(4):225-31.
doi: 10.1038/nrg2536.

New insights into the genetics of addiction

Ming D Li  1 , Margit Burmeister
Affiliations
Review

New insights into the genetics of addiction

Ming D Li et al. Nat Rev Genet. 2009 Apr.

Abstract

Drug addiction is a common brain disorder that is extremely costly to the individual and to society. Genetics contributes significantly to vulnerability to this disorder, but identification of susceptibility genes has been slow. Recent genome-wide linkage and association studies have implicated several regions and genes in addiction to various substances, including alcohol and, more recently, tobacco. Current efforts aim not only to replicate these findings in independent samples but also to determine the functional mechanisms of these genes and variants.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Chromosomal locations of peaks or intervals for addiction to multiple substances
Summary of chromosomal locations of nominated peaks or intervals for addictions to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, nicotine, and opoids. Each linkage is given with either a color-filled circle or a rectangle, representing a reported linkage peak or region, respectively. “Significant” or “suggestive” linkage was determined by independent studies on at least two substances of abuse. The determination of “significant” or “suggestive linkage” at each linkage peak/interval was based on the rigorous criteria proposed by Lander and Kruglyak, which define an LOD of >3.6 or a P value of <2.2 × 10−5 as a “significant linkage” and an LOD of >2.2 but <3.6 or a P value of 7.4 × 10−4 as a “suggestive linkage.” Each color represents a type of abused substance. The “unit” for each chromosome is “cM.”
Figure 1
Figure 1. Chromosomal locations of peaks or intervals for addiction to multiple substances
Summary of chromosomal locations of nominated peaks or intervals for addictions to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, nicotine, and opoids. Each linkage is given with either a color-filled circle or a rectangle, representing a reported linkage peak or region, respectively. “Significant” or “suggestive” linkage was determined by independent studies on at least two substances of abuse. The determination of “significant” or “suggestive linkage” at each linkage peak/interval was based on the rigorous criteria proposed by Lander and Kruglyak, which define an LOD of >3.6 or a P value of <2.2 × 10−5 as a “significant linkage” and an LOD of >2.2 but <3.6 or a P value of 7.4 × 10−4 as a “suggestive linkage.” Each color represents a type of abused substance. The “unit” for each chromosome is “cM.”
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MeSH terms

Substances