The polymorphism GABA_BR1 T1974C[rs29230] of the GABA_B receptor gene is not associated with the diagnosis of alcoholism or alcohol withdrawal seizures

As the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) modulates ethanol consumption, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and seizure generation by interacting with the GABA_B receptor, the genes encoding for the GABA_B receptor can be considered as candidate genes for alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal seizures (AWS). As the polymorphism GABA_BR1 T1974C [rs29230] of the GABA_B receptor gene had been associated with alcoholism and EEG abnormalities in prior studies, the present examination investigated if the polymorphism is associated with the diagnosis of alcoholism or AWS. After genotyping the allele and genotype frequencies of a group of alcoholics with a history of AWS (n = 69) were compared with the results of a group of alcoholics with only mild withdrawal symptoms (n = 97). Additionally a group of healthy controls (n = 101) was compared with individuals with the diagnosis of alcoholism (n = 220). As no significant differences were found between the compared groups, this study gave no further evidence for GABA _BR1 T1974C [rs29230] as a candidate for alcoholism or AWS.