A positive association between a polymorphism in the HTR2B gene and cocaine-crack in a French Afro-Caribbean population

Abstract

Objectives

Cocaine dependence has a strong heritability component. The aim of this study was to investigate the putative association between the serotonin 2B receptor gene (HTR2B), crack use disorders and impulsivity.

Methods

A French Afro-Caribbean male population of patients with crack use disorders (n = 80) was compared to healthy Afro-Caribbean male controls (n = 60). Comorbid ADHD and impulsivity were assessed. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HTR2B gene were selected: rs643700, rs6736017, rs1549339, rs17586428 and rs3806545. These SNPs were chosen to include most of the linkage disequilibrium blocks in the HTR2B gene. The French translation of the Barratt Impulsivity Scale BIS-11 was used to evaluate impulsivity. Comorbid ADHD was diagnosed using the Wender Utah Rating Scale-25 item for Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder.

Results

We have observed a positive association between the rs6736017 polymorphism and crack use disorders in a French Afro-Caribbean male population.

Conclusions

In our population, the risk effect of HTR2B rs6736017 appeared to be specific to individuals with crack use disorders rather than being driven by impulsivity or ADHD alone.

Keywords:

• Cocaine use disorders
• crack
• HTR2B gene
• impulsivity
• ADHD

Acknowledgements

The authors thank P Mazeau for editing this manuscript.

Statement of interest

Florence Thibaut is Editor-in-Chief of Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience (the journal receives a grant from Servier). Other authors have no conflict of interest to declare.