Clinical-Genetic Variation in GABA/Alcohol Sensitivity

Clinical-Genetic Variation in GABA/Alcohol Sensitivity

The purpose of the study is to better understand how genetic factors influence individual sensitivity to alcohol.

We want to find out if there are specific characteristics of a person's genes which will cause them to respond differently to alcohol. Genes are parts of the chromosomes found in the cells of our bodies which control our physical characteristics such the color of our hair, eyes, and other features. Genes are made up of molecules called "DNA" which carry the genetic information we receive from our parents. Just as genes control our physical characteristics, differences in genetic information may also explain why some people are more sensitive to alcohol or have problems drinking too much.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The subject is male or female with at least one Hispanic birth parent of Mexican ancestry, 21-25 years of age, and able to read the English-language consent form.
• The subject self-reports current use of 3-30 standard drinks
• The subject is in good physical health as determined by history, physical and laboratory studies of hematology and chemistry
• The subject has a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 20-28
• The subject is not concurrently using psychoactive medication or illicit drugs
• If subject is female, she is not pregnant (determined by weekly urine pregnancy screens), is practicing barrier or chemical methods of birth control, and not nursing babies

Exclusion Criteria:

• The subject meets DSM-IV criteria for any lifetime history of alcohol dependence, or dependence or abuse on any other drug in the past two years excepting tobacco dependence
• The subject currently meets DSM-IV for any other psychiatric (Axis I) disorder, excepting tobacco dependence
• The subject cannot consistently provide alcohol-free breath samples and drug-free urine samples
• The subject uses > 20 cigarettes per day or > 500 mg caffeine per day
• The subject's physical exam, lab tests, and medical histories indicate medical illness requiring treatment or interacting with the alcohol or benzodiazepine treatments
• The subject has a sleep apnea or narrow angle-glaucoma (contraindications for benzodiazepines)
• The subject reports extreme hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to benzodiazepines or unusual hypersensitivity to multiple medications
• The subject is unwilling or unable to consent to all experimental procedures including confidential family history interviews and genetic testing specified by the protocol