264985 Genetic variants in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene are associated with alcohol dependence in two Caucasian samples

Monday, October 29, 2012

Liang Wang, MD, DrPH, MPH , Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Xuefeng Liu, PhD , Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Min Zeng , Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Kesheng Wang, PhD , Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Background: Alcohol dependence (AD) is a complex disease, with devastating effects on individuals, families and society. Family, twin and adoption studies have clearly demonstrated that genetic factors are important in modulating the vulnerability to AD. Variants in the fat mass- and obesity-associated (FTO) gene have been associated with body mass index, obesity, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and alcohol consumption. Few study tested the associations of FTO with AD. Methods: To examine the associations between genetic variants in the FTO gene and AD, this study tested the associations of 167 SNPs within FTO gene with AD using two Caucasian samples (1283 cases of AD and 1416 controls). Logistic regression analysis of AD as a binary trait was performed using PLINK. Results: For the SAGE sample, the top three SNPs showing associations with AD were rs8062891, rs1108086, rs1420318 (p=0.00088, 0.00086, 0.00086, respectively). Two SNPs (rs12597786 and rs7204609) associated with AD in the SAGE sample (p=0.017 and 0.034, respectively) were replicated in COGA sample (p=0.017 and 0.014, respectively). Through meta-analysis of two samples using PLINK, the top three SNPs associated with AD were rsrs8062891, rs12597786 and rs7204609 (p=0.00064, 0.00076 and 0.0011, respectively). Haplotype analysis in the SAGE sample further supported the associations with AD in single-marker analysis. Conclusion: Alcohol addiction may increase risk of obesity due to a rise in body mass index or they may share genetic components. These findings offer the possibility of intervention and prevention of AD and obesity.

Learning Areas:
Biostatistics, economics
Chronic disease management and prevention
Epidemiology
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. To examine the association between genetic variants in the FTO gene and alcohol dependence. 2. To discuss the importance of these findings in better understanding of the etiology of alcohol dependence and obesity. 3. To discuss the possibility of intervention and prevention of alcohol dependence and obesity.

Keywords: Obesity, Alcohol Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: This is my current research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3184.0: Genetic/Molecular and Pharmacological Epidemiology Poster Session