Genetic variant linked to cocaine addiction identified

Washington, Mar 3 (ANI): In a novel study, an international team of researchers has identified a genetic variant linked to cocaine addiction and cocaine-induced paranoia.

They have discovered variant in gene called a-endomannosidase (MANEA) that contributes to cocaine dependence and related behaviours.

During the study, the researchers looked at 3,992 individuals from two family-based samples of European American and African American families, and were then genotyped for 11 markers spanning the MANEA gene.

The researchers found cocaine-induced paranoia was associated with six of the 11 markers in the European American family sample.

On the other hand, they found these six markers and three other markers were significant in the African American sample.

"Our findings suggest that cocaine dependence and associated behaviours may involve biological pathways not typically thought to be associated with brain metabolism and now opens a new pathway to understanding these highly prevalent disorders and their psychopathological manifestations," said lead author Lindsay A. Farrer, PhD, chief of the Genetics Program and professor of medicine, neurology, genetics and genomics epidemiology and biostatistics at BUSM.

The team involved researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Yale University School of Medicine and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine

The findings appear in the Archives of General Psychiatry. (ANI)