A genetic association with the development of alcohol and other substance use behavior in Asian Americans.

Abstract

Studies of Asian adults have found that alcohol use and alcohol dependence are related to variation in the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) gene. To investigate the association of ALDH2 with the development of drug involvement, the authors analyzed retrospective information about the onset and regular use of alcohol and other substances as reported by 180 Asian American college students. Possession of an ALDH2*2 allele was not related to initiation of alcohol use or having ever been intoxicated, but individuals with ALDH2*2 alleles were less likely to be regular drinkers, were less likely to have engaged in a binge-drinking episode, reported a lower number of maximum drinks consumed in a 24-hr period, and were less likely to have used tobacco regularly than those without this genetic variant. These findings suggest that ALDH2 is associated with the development of not only alcohol-related behavior but other substance use behavior as well.

ALDH2*2 and peer drinking in East Asian college students

“…There was a lot of variability in the amount of ethanol that students reported consuming at the “most” and “all” levels, but the mean difference in consumption between ALDH2 *2(−) and ALDH2 *2(+) carriers was larger at the “all” peers level. Relative to white college students, Asian-American students are low risk drinkers (1,2). It is possible that this highly saturated (all peers) drinking environment was needed to weaken important social factors (e.g., sense of family obligation, parental disapproval of drinking, and gender norms) that are protective against drinking (35,36).…”

“…Asian-American college students are five times less likely to engage in heavy drinking as compared to white college students (1,2). This is due in part to an allele (i.e., ALDH2 *2 or A-allele at rs671) more commonly carried by northeast Asians (30–50%) and rare in non-Asians (3).…”

“…Alcohol-related flushing occurs when a deficient enzyme, for metabolizing acetaldehyde, the primary metabolite of alcohol, to acetate, results in a buildup of acetaldehyde in the body (6). Studies show that individuals who carry ALDH2 *2 drink less frequently, consume smaller quantities of alcohol, and have a reduced risk for alcohol dependence (2,7,8). …”

Psychosocial, cultural and genetic influences on alcohol use in Asian American youth.

“…However factors specific to Asian populations-for example, genetic variations in alcohol-metabolizing enzymes (Sun et al, 2002;Wall et al, 2001)-have also been implicated. Observed relationships between acculturation and drinking behavior among Asian Americans (Hahm et al, 2003(Hahm et al, , 2004Sue et al, 1979) further suggest the importance of examining cultural variables as they pertain to alcohol use etiology in this group.…”

“…Compared with individuals without an ALDH2*2 allele, those possessing one or two copies demonstrate stronger physiological reactions to alcohol ingestion (Peng et al, 1999;Wall et al, 1992Wall et al, , 1994Wall et al, , 1996. Accordingly, presence of an ALDH2*2 allele has been associated with decreased rates of alcohol use (Sun et al, 2002;Wall et al, 2001), heavy episodic (binge) drinking (Luczak et al, 2001;Takeshita and Morimoto, 1999;Wall et al, 2001) and alcohol dependence Luczak et al, 2004;Thomasson et al, 1991).…”