Interaction between the ADH1B*3 allele and drinking motives on alcohol use among Black college students

Abstract

Background Black young adults have lower rates of alcohol use than other racial groups. Genetic factors may protect against drinking; specifically, the ADH1B*3 allele is present almost exclusively in Black populations and has been protective against alcohol use and alcohol use disorder. The protective effects of the ADH1B*3 allele, however, may differ as a function of alcohol-promoting cognitions. Objectives The current study examined whether ADH1B*3 moderated relations of drinking motives with alcohol consumption among Black college drinkers. Methods Participants were 241 undergraduate students of self-identified Black race (mean age = 20 years; 66% female) who reported consuming alcohol at least once in the past 30 days. Results ADH1B*3 was not significantly associated with drinking motives or drinking behaviors. However, significant, albeit small, interaction effects of ADH1B*3 with drinking motives on drinking behavior were found; presence of an ADH1B*3 allele protected against greater drinking quantity among students with high social motives (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.95, 95% CI [0.92, 0.99]) and against frequent drinking among students with low coping motives (IRR = 1.06, 95% CI [1.01, 1.11]). Conclusion Such findings represent a novel demonstration of genetic modulation of alcohol-related cognitions within Black college drinkers, although replication is needed. Results represent an initial step toward better characterizing individual differences in associations of drinking motives with drinking behavior, with potential implications for interventions aimed at motivational processes in alcohol use.

Analysis of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes genetic variants and RAR/RXR expression in patients diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome: a case-control study

“…Our results showed no statistical significance for this SNP between the groups studied. Regarding to ADH1B*3, a significant increase in the frequency of the T allele (11%) was observed (p-value = 0.04) in the PAE group compared to the FAS group (1%) [ 46 ], whose genotype (CC) was more frequent compared to PAE (97% vs. 77%).…”

Racial/ethnic discrimination, ADH1B*3, and coping‐motivated drinking among Black college students

“…Data were drawn from a cross-sectional study of Black college students attending a predominantly White 4-year university in the northeastern United States. [19][20][21] Eligible participants were undergraduate students ≥18 years of age who self-identified as Black and reported consuming alcohol at least once in the past 30 days.…”