Genetic association of human Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor 1 (CRHR1) with Internet gaming addiction in Korean male adolescents

Abstract

BackgroundThe number of people with Internet gaming addiction (IGA) is increasing around the world. IGA is known to be associated with personal characteristics, psychosocial factors, and physiological factors. However, few studies have examined the genetic factors related to IGA. This study aimed to investigate the association between IGA and stress-related genetic variants.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 230 male high school students in a South Korean city. We selected five stress-related candidate genes: DAT1, DRD4, NET8, CHRNA4, and CRHR1. The DAT1 and DRD4 genes were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction, and the NET8, CHRNA4, and CRHR1 genes were genotyped by pyrosequencing analysis. We performed a Chi-square test to examine the relationship of these five candidate genes to IGA.ResultsHaving the AA genotype and the A allele of the CRHR1 gene (rs28364027) was associated with higher odds of belonging to the IGA participant group (p = .016 and p = .021, respectively) than to the non-IGA group. By contrast, the DAT1, DRD4, NET8, and CHRNA4 gene polymorphisms showed no significant difference between the IGA group and control group.ConclusionsThese results indicate that polymorphism of the CRHR1 gene may play an important role in IGA susceptibility in the Korean adolescent male population. These findings provide a justification and foundation for further investigation of genetic factors related to IGA.

Associations Among Internet Addiction, Genetic Polymorphisms, Family Functioning, and Psychopathological Risk: Cross-Sectional Exploratory Study

“…Some studies [ 72 , 107 ] have suggested that the DAT1 genotype 9/9 is associated with a higher risk for addictive disorders. However, the findings of our study are in line with the findings from studies by other researchers [ 74 , 75 ] that showed no significant association with internet-related addiction. Given these inconsistent findings, further research is needed to clarify whether the DAT1 gene may have an effect on IA.…”

“…We considered the dopaminergic system (DAT and DRD4 genes), the serotonergic system (5-HTTPLR gene), and the monoamine metabolism pathway (MAO-A gene) for their central role in impulsive behaviors [ 92 - 94 ]. The neurotransmitter systems encoded by these genes are reportedly associated with alcoholism or other addictions [ 45 , 72 , 73 , 75 , 95 - 98 ]. Moreover, several studies have shown that these genetic polymorphisms contribute to the susceptibility of an individual to environmental influences [ 99 - 101 ] and can act as moderators in associations between the quality of the emotional environment provided by parents and the evolutionary outcomes of young adults [ 102 ].…”

“…We hypothesized the presence of the following: (1) significant associations between IA and genetic polymorphisms in MAO-A (ie, MAOA-H genotype), 5-HTTPR (ie, S/S genotype), DRD4 (ie, 4R/4R genotype), and DAT1 (ie, 9-repeat genotype) genes, based on previous studies that have underlined the key role of these genes in the biochemistry of addiction disorder [ 45 , 72 , 73 ], including IA [ 36 , 41 , 74 , 75 ]; (2) significant differences in the quality of family functioning of young adults and psychological profiles (ie, depression and anxiety problems, avoidant personality problems) between youths with IA and the control group, as suggested by previous studies that have shown significant association between IA both with a poor quality of family functioning [ 49 , 50 ] and with psychopathological symptoms, especially in the areas of depression and anxiety symptoms [ 76 , 77 ] and traits of avoidant personality disorder [ 78 ]; (3) a mediation role played by the psychological profile of young adults on the relationship between family functioning and IA, based on studies that have shown a predictive effect of the quality of family functioning on the psychopathological profile of young adults [ 57 , 58 ] that, in turn, has been suggested to be a significant predictor of IA [ 70 ]; and (4) the moderator role played by MAO-A, 5-HTTPR, DRD4, and DAT1 genotypes on the relationship between family functioning and IA, as suggested by recent evidence that has underlined that individual genotype play an important role in moderating individual sensitivity to environmental events [ 79 , 80 ] and to the development of psychopathology related to addiction [ 48 ].…”

Biochemical Correlates of Video Game Use: From Physiology to Pathology. A Narrative Review

“…Similar results came from a later study by Jeong et al, conducted in a smaller sample of 30 IGD and 30 HC [ 105 ]. Park et al [ 106 ] highlighted an increased frequency of the AA genotype of corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 ( CRHR1 ) (rs28364027) gene in the IGD group (N = 118) compared to HC (N = 112), which have been previously associated with AUD [ 107 ]. More recently, Kim N. et al [ 108 ] investigated leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in a sample of students with (N = 118) or without IGD (N = 112) due to its possible link to many psychiatric conditions [ 109 ].…”

Adolescent Internet Gaming Disorder: A Narrative Review

“…In a cross-sectional study on 230 male high school students in South Korea, several stress-related candidate genes were genotyped to examine the relationship of these stress-related genes to Internet gaming addiction [62]. The AA genotype and the A allele of the CRHR1 gene were associated with greater odds of belonging to the Internet gaming addiction group indicating that the polymorphism of that gene may plan an important role in the susceptibility to IGD in Korean adolescent males.…”