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DRD2 TaqIA polymorphism is associated with urinary homovanillic acid levels in a sample of spanish male alcoholic patients

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Abstract

TheTaqIA1 allele of the dopamine receptor gene D2 (DRD2) has been associated with alcoholism, as well as with other addictive behaviours. The exact nature of how the presence of this allele can be a vulnerability factor in the development of alcoholism remains unclear. In this study we found that the presence in theDRD2 genotype of theTaqIA1 allele in Spanish alcoholics is associated with higher levels of urine homovanillic acid (HVA) when compared to patients homozygous for theTaqIA2 allele.

A sample of 142 Spanish male alcoholic patients was split into 2 groups on the basis of the presence or absence of the A1 allele in their genotype. The urine sample was analyzed by high performance liquid cromatography (HPLC), and the concentration of homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyin-doleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and vanilylmandelic acid (VMA) was determined. We found a statistical difference in the concentration of HVA between the groups, that suggests this polymorphism could be related to the variance of urine HVA levels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avda. de Córdoba s/n, 28041, Madrid, España

    G. Ponce, J. Hoenicka, R. Rodríguez-jiménez, M. Jimenéz, R. Monasor, M. Aragüés, M. A. Jiménez-arriero & T. Palomo

  2. Servicio de Bioquímica, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avda. de Córdoba s/n, 28041, Madrid, España

    A. Gozalo

  3. Servicio de Salud Mental Retiro, Madrid, España

    G. Rubio

  4. Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, 28040, Madrid, España

    J. A. Ramos

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  1. G. Ponce
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  2. J. Hoenicka
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  3. R. Rodríguez-jiménez
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  4. A. Gozalo
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  5. M. Jimenéz
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  6. R. Monasor
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  7. M. Aragüés
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  8. G. Rubio
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  9. M. A. Jiménez-arriero
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  10. J. A. Ramos
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  11. T. Palomo
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Correspondence to M. A. Jiménez-arriero.

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Ponce, G., Hoenicka, J., Rodríguez-jiménez, R. et al. DRD2 TaqIA polymorphism is associated with urinary homovanillic acid levels in a sample of spanish male alcoholic patients. neurotox res 6, 373–377 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03033311

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03033311

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