Department of Psychology, University of Bonn, Kaiser-Karl-Ring 9, D-53111, Bonn, Germany.
J Addict Med. 2012 Sep;6(3):191-5. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0b013e31825ba7e7.
Recent studies from Asia provided first evidence for a molecular genetic link between serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission and Internet addiction. The present report offers data on a new candidate gene in the investigation of Internet addiction-the gene coding for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha 4 (CHRNA4). A case-control study was carried out. The participants were recruited from a large gene data bank, including people from the general population and from a university setting. A total of 132 participants with problematic Internet use and 132 age- and sex-matched controls participated in the study. Participants provided DNA samples and filled in the Internet Addiction Test Questionnaire. The T- variant (CC genotype) of the rs1044396 polymorphism on the CHRNA4 gene occurred significantly more frequently in the case group. Further analyses revealed that this effect was driven by females. Combined with the findings from other studies, the present data point in the direction that rs1044396 exerts pleiotropic effects on a vast range of behaviors, including cognition, emotion, and addiction.
最近来自亚洲的研究为血清素能和多巴胺能神经递质与网络成瘾之间的分子遗传联系提供了初步证据。本报告提供了关于新的候选基因在网络成瘾研究中的数据——编码尼古丁乙酰胆碱受体亚单位α 4 (CHRNA4)的基因。进行了一项病例对照研究。参与者从一个大型基因数据库中招募，包括来自普通人群和大学环境的人。共有 132 名有问题的互联网使用者和 132 名年龄和性别匹配的对照组参加了研究。参与者提供了 DNA 样本，并填写了网络成瘾测试问卷。CHRNA4 基因上 rs1044396 多态性的 T 变体（CC 基因型）在病例组中发生的频率明显更高。进一步的分析表明，这种影响是由女性驱动的。结合其他研究的结果，本研究数据表明 rs1044396 对包括认知、情绪和成瘾在内的广泛行为具有多效性影响。
