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(AAT)n repeat in the cannabinoid receptor gene (CNR1): association with cocaine addiction in an African-Caribbean population

The Pharmacogenomics Journal volume 6, pages 126–130 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Owing to their agonist action on dopaminergic systems, cannabinoids may play a major role in substance dependency and schizophrenia. We examined the (AAT)n triplet repeat polymorphism nearby the CNR1 gene, which encodes human cannabinoid (CB1) receptor, in a male Afro-Caribbean population. The allelic and genotypic distributions were significantly different in non-schizophrenic cocaine dependents (n=97), schizophrenic cocaine dependents (n=45) and matched controls (n=88) (P<10−4). The frequency of the (AAT)12 repeat allele was increased in non-schizophrenic cocaine dependents and schizophrenic cocaine dependents vs controls (25.3 and 26.7 vs 5.7%) (P<10−4). Our results support that the (AAT)n polymorphism nearby the CNR1 gene could be associated with predisposition to cocaine dependency.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported by government contract – MILDT and INSERM – and Cabanis-Pfizer project's grants; we are grateful to the staff of the addiction treatment unit of the Clarac Hospital, Dr Albout, Dr Meyer and all the staff from the blood transfusion center of Martinique.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Fort de France, Fort de France, Martinique, French West Indies

    N Ballon, C Roy & A Charles-Nicolas

  2. INSERM E117, Université Paris 5, SHU Hôpital Sainte Anne, Paris, France

    N Ballon, S Leroy, M C Bourdel, M O Krebs & M F Poirier

Authors
  1. N Ballon
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  2. S Leroy
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  3. C Roy
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  4. M C Bourdel
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  5. A Charles-Nicolas
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  6. M O Krebs
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  7. M F Poirier
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Correspondence to N Ballon.

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None declared.

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Ballon, N., Leroy, S., Roy, C. et al. (AAT)n repeat in the cannabinoid receptor gene (CNR1): association with cocaine addiction in an African-Caribbean population. Pharmacogenomics J 6, 126–130 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.tpj.6500352

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