Psychopharmacology

, Volume 215, Issue 1, pp 13–22 | Cite as

Effects of the serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) and α2A-adrenoceptor (C-1291G) genotypes on substance use in children and adolescents: a longitudinal study

  • Liis Merenäkk
  • Jarek Mäestu
  • Niklas Nordquist
  • Jüri Parik
  • Lars Oreland
  • Helle-Mai Loit
  • Jaanus Harro
Original Investigation
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Rationale and objective

Twin studies suggest that substance use initiation in children and adolescents is determined primarily by environmental influences, whereas the establishment of use patterns is strongly controlled by genetic factors. The present study analysed the effects of the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism [5-HT transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR)] and the α2A-adrenoceptor C-1291G genotype (ADRA2A C-1291G) as well as their interaction effects on alcohol, tobacco and drug use from preadolescence to the late adolescence.

Methods

Initial sample of 9-year-old children of Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study (n = 583) was recalled at ages 15 and 18. Participants reported in all waves how frequently they smoked and used alcohol and illicit drugs.

Results

5-HTTLPR had age-dependent effects on alcohol, tobacco and drug use: substance use did not differ by genotype at age 9, but at age 15, the participants with the short (s)/s genotype had higher tobacco use, and at age 18, they were more active alcohol, drug and tobacco users. Effects of ADRA2A C-1291G on drug use were dependent on gender, age and 5-HTTLPR. Males (age 18) with ADRA2A CG genotype, when compared to other participants, tended to have higher drug use especially when they had s/s genotype of 5-HTTLPR.

Conclusions

Our results reveal that expression of genetic vulnerability for substance use in children and adolescents may depend on age, gender, interaction of genes, and type of substance.

Keywords

5-HTTLPR ADRA2A C-1291G Substance use Gene×gene interaction Longitudinal Adolescents Children 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the Estonian Ministry of Education and Science (nos. 0180027 and 0942706) and the Estonian Science Foundation (nos. 6788 and 6932), the Swedish Science Foundation (VR), the AFA Insurance and the Swedish Brain Foundation. We are grateful to the participants of the ECPBHS and their parents and to the whole ECPBHS Study Team.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Liis Merenäkk
    • 1
  • Jarek Mäestu
    • 2
  • Niklas Nordquist
    • 3
  • Jüri Parik
    • 4
  • Lars Oreland
    • 3
  • Helle-Mai Loit
    • 5
  • Jaanus Harro
    • 6
  1. 1.Department of Public Health, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health SciencesUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia
  2. 2.Department of Sport Pedagogy and Coaching Sciences, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health SciencesUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia
  3. 3.Department of Neuroscience, PharmacologyUniversity of UppsalaUppsalaSweden
  4. 4.Institute of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia
  5. 5.National Institute for Health DevelopmentEstonian Centre of Behavioural and Health SciencesTallinnEstonia
  6. 6.Department of Psychology, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health SciencesUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia

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