Jerzy Samochowiec, Jolanta Kucharska-Mazur, Klaus Peter Lesch, Hans Rommelspacher, Izabela Gorzkowska, Piotr Tybura, Anna Grzywacz, Andrzej Jasiewicz, Marcin Błoński, Przemysław Bieńkowski, Agnieszka Samochowiec

PAX-6 gene promoter polymorphism and other factors involved in brain atrophy in alcohol dependent patients             37-41

Summary

Aim. To find a correlation between PAX-6 promoter polymorphism and other parameters pertaining to addictions like e.g. manner of drinking, proneness to faster cerebral and cerebellar atrophy.

Material and method. In a group of 68 alcohol dependent subjects the history of alcohol dependence was assessed using a composite interview, PAX- 6 gene promoter polymorphism was studied, and the occurrence of the processes of cerebral and cerebellar atrophy was evaluated using a CT scan.

Results. A negative correlation between the quantity of (AC)m (AG)n repeats in PAX-6 gene promoter B and the cerebral and cerebellar atrophy was found. The occurrence of atrophy was correlated with a decrease in alcohol tolerance and the presence of withdrawal symptoms complicated by alcohol delirium.

Conclusions. Genetic factors, especially a polymorphism in the region of PAX-6 gene promoter B, can be considered as one of the essential causes of a tendency of brain atrophy in patients with alcohol dependence. Brain atrophies lead to complicated deep withdrawal syndromes and are related to a decreased alcohol tolerance.