ALCOHOL ABUSE/DEPENDENCY AND GENETIC PREDICTORS OF EFFICACY OF ANTI-CRAVIING MEDICATIONS

There are three medications that can block alcohol cravings. Each one has a genetic "signature" that predicts efficacy. They are as follows:

Naltrexone (See Anton, The American Journal of Psychiatry, July 2011)
The opiod mu-receptor OPRMl, allele Asp 40/ Asp 40 predicts a positive response.

Topirimate (See Krazler, The American Journal of Psychiatry, April 2014)
A polymorphism of the krinate gene GRIK 1 CC genotype predicts a positive response. The study used doses of200 mg. and 300 mg.

Ondasetron (See Johnson, The American Journal of Psychiatry, March 2011)

The SHTTLPR ("long/short") polymorphism in the serotonin transporter (SHTT) gene (SLC6A4) promoter region has an LL subtype that predicts a positive response. The gene (SLC6A6) is located on chromosome 17ql l.1-ql2. In the 3' untranslated region (3UTR) there is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), TT that is associated with higher drinking severity.