BDNF (Val66Met) genetic polymorphism is associated with vulnerability for methamphetamine dependence

• Published in: Pharmacogenomics Vol. 16; no. 14; pp. 1541 - 1545
• Main Authors: Iamjan, Sri-arun, Thanoi, Samur, Watiktinkorn, Paritat, Nudmamud-Thanoi, Sutisa, Reynolds, Gavin P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Future Medicine Ltd 01.09.2015
• Subjects: Addictions; Amphetamine-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Amphetamine-Related Disorders - genetics; Amphetamines; Asian Continental Ancestry Group - genetics; BDNF; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - genetics; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; DNA; Dopamine; Dosage and administration; Drug abuse; Drug metabolism; Gene Frequency; Gene polymorphism; Genetic aspects; Genetic polymorphisms; Genotype; Genotype & phenotype; Health aspects; Humans; Mental disorders; Methamphetamine; methamphetamine dependence; Minority & ethnic groups; Polymerase chain reaction; Polymorphism; Polymorphism, Genetic - genetics; Psychiatry; Psychoses, Substance-Induced - epidemiology; Psychoses, Substance-Induced - genetics; Psychosis; Risk factors; rs6265; Schizophrenia; Thailand - epidemiology; Thailand; United States > US; methamphetamine dependence; polymorphism; rs6265; BDNF; psychosis
• ISSN: 1462-2416; 1744-8042; 1744-8042
• DOI: 10.2217/pgs.15.96

Association of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genetic polymorphism rs6265 (Val66Met) with methamphetamine (METH) dependence and METH-induced psychosis was investigated in the Thai population. The rs6265 genotype was determined in 100 male METH-dependent subjects and 102 controls using a real-time PCR high-resolution melt (RT-PCR-HRM) assay. The rs6265 genotype demonstrated significant differences in distribution between METH-dependent subjects and controls in which the frequency of GG genotype versus A-allele carriers was associated with METH dependence. Moreover, a significant effect of genotype on the occurrence of psychosis was found, with a lower frequency of GG genotype associated with METH-induced psychosis. The present findings indicate that rs6265 is associated with METH dependence in the Thai population, with the GG genotype greater in METH-dependent subjects but reducing the emergence of METH-dependent psychosis.