Alterations in DNA-methylation of the dopamine-receptor 2 gene are associated with abstinence and health care utilization in individuals with a lifetime history of pathologic gambling

作者：Hillemacher Thomas^*; Frieling Helge; Buchholz Vanessa; Hussein Rim; Bleich Stefan; Meyer Christian; John Ulrich; Bischof Anja; Rumpf Hans Juergen

来源：Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 2015, 63: 30-34.

DOI：10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.05.013

• DNA-methylation
• Dopamine
• DRD2
• Epigenetics
• Pathologic gambling

Background: Several studies point towards a role for dopaminergic circuits in the pathophysiology of problematic gambling behavior. The aim of the present study was to investigate alterations of DNA methylation in the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2)-gene in participants with pathologic gambling behavior.
Results: The study was part of a large epidemiological study on pathologic gambling in Germany. DNA methylation of the DRD2-gene was analyzed from oral mucosa using next generation bisulfite sequencing. The final sample included 77 participants. The study showed significantly lower methylation levels of the DRD2-gene in abstinent patients over the last 12 or 30 months compared to non-abstinent participants. Furthermore, participants without any treatment utilization regarding gambling behavior showed higher DRD2-gene methylation levels compared to treatment-seeking participants.
Conclusions: DNA-methylation patterns in the DRD2-gene were altered in respect to abstinence over a 12-month or a 30-month period and to treatment utilization with higher methylation levels in non-abstinent and participants without treatment-seeking behavior. These results point towards a pathophysiologic relevance of altered DRD2-expression due to changes of DNA methylation in pathologic gambling behavior.

• 出版日期2015-12-3