GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS AND SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE
First Claim
1. A method for identifying a subject at risk for substance dependence, the method comprising detecting in a sample from the subject the presence of at least one polymorphism in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene cluster and the CHRNA4 gene, the polymorphisms having a correlation value of 0.7 or greater with each other, wherein the presence of one of the alleles of the polymorphism is associated with increased risk for substance dependence.
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Abstract
The invention encompasses methods for identifying subjects at risk for substance dependence by detecting the presence of polymorphism in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene cluster and the CHRNA4 gene. The invention also encompasses determining the response of a subject to a therapeutic substance, treating substance dependence in a subject, and evaluating the response of a subject to a substance cessation treatment.
33 Citations
19 Claims
- 1. A method for identifying a subject at risk for substance dependence, the method comprising detecting in a sample from the subject the presence of at least one polymorphism in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene cluster and the CHRNA4 gene, the polymorphisms having a correlation value of 0.7 or greater with each other, wherein the presence of one of the alleles of the polymorphism is associated with increased risk for substance dependence.
- 9. A method for determining the response of a subject to a therapeutic substance, the method comprising detecting in a sample from the subject the presence of at least one polymorphism in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene cluster and the CHRNA4 gene, wherein the presence of a first allele of the polymorphism is associated with a first response and the presence of a second allele of the polymorphism is associated with a second response.
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17. A method for evaluating the response of a subject to a substance cessation treatment, the method comprising determining the level of CHRNA5 messenger RNA in a first and a second sample from the subject, the first sample collected before the start of the substance cessation treatment, the second sample collected during or after the substance cessation treatment, wherein a decreased level of CHRNA5 messenger RNA in the second sample relative to the first sample indicates the subject is responding to the substance cessation treatment.
- 18. A kit for genotyping a subject for at least one polymorphism in the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene cluster and the CHRNA4 gene, the kit comprising at least one oligonucleotide that distinguishes between two alleles of the at least one polymorphism.
Specification