Researchers confirmed the existence of a direct link between clock genes and 2 comorbid diseases, as well as the genetic predisposition for alcohol abuse.
Researchers investigated the relationship between the shared genetics of bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse or dependence and the circadian clock gene pathway. The case-control study included 436 people with bipolar disorder, of whom 17% had comorbid alcohol abuse or dependence. The control group was comprised of 417 healthy individuals who had no history of mental illness or substance abuse. Analyses were conducted on 44 single nucleotide polymorphisms of 4 key pathway genes
After correlation analysis, researchers found the clock polymorphisms ARNTL (rs11600996) and PER3 (rs228642) were associated with an increased risk for bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse or dependence in one group of male patients (odds ratio 1.56; 95% CI, 1.07-2.27; P =.03). In addition, the investigators reported an association between 2 PER3 polymorphisms, rs228682 (P =.03) and rs2640909 (P =.03), and having a family history of an affective disorder.
Primary study limitations included the small sample size and gender disproportion in patient groups.
"We confirmed the existence of the direct link between the clock genes and [2] comorbid diseases as well as the genetic predisposition for [alcohol abuse or dependence] depending on the gender," the researchers wrote. "Moreover, [these findings] could be helpful in determining high-risk patients with comorbid alcohol abuse and [help] prepare [an] appropriate prevention program."
Further studies are needed to fully investigate the possible link among circadian clock gene polymorphisms, bipolar disorder, and alcohol abuse or dependence.
Reference
Banach E, Pawlak J, Kapelski P, et al. Clock genes polymorphisms in male bipolar patients with comorbid alcohol abuse. J Affect Disord. 2018;241:142-146.
Comment: Remember that the science of genetics is still quite young, and something we know very little about, in the grand scheme of things. While identifying associations between genes and disease states isn't a bad thing, this study seems to be firmly entrenched in the genetic determinism paradigm; a paradigm which is being increasingly challenged by newer science pointing to a much more complicated picture.
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