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Trait Markers (trait + marker)
Selected AbstractsPlatelet Adenylyl Cyclase Activity as a Trait Marker of Alcohol DependenceALCOHOLISM, Issue 6 2000John A. Menninger Background: There is compelling evidence that genetic factors play a major role in the development of alcohol dependence. Platelet adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity has been proposed as a biochemical marker for differentiating alcohol-dependent and nondependent subjects, but the sensitivity and specificity of this marker have not been ascertained. The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of platelet AC activity in identifying alcohol-dependent subjects and to ascertain the effect of medical/psychiatric variables, drinking and smoking history, and age and body weight on AC activity. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from 1995 to 1998. Participants were 210 Australian White men who were community volunteers and alcohol treatment inpatients in Sydney, Australia. There were 41 nondrinkers, 140 drinkers, and 29 men who were entering alcohol treatment. The main outcome measure was platelet AC activity. Classification variables were plasma ethanol, ,-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), and urinary5-hydroxytryptophol/5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HTOL/5-HIAA) levels, and World Health Organization/International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism Interview Schedule variables, which included alcohol use and dependence criteria. Results: Among subjects who reported abstinence for at least 4 days, both cesium fluoride (CsF)- and forskolin-stimulated platelet AC activities were significantly lower in those with a lifetime history of alcohol dependence compared with those with no such history (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of CsF-stimulated AC activity to discriminate individuals with a lifetime history of alcohol dependence were 75% and 79%, respectively. Similar values for sensitivity and specificity for CsF-stimulated AC activity were calculated when discriminating current alcohol dependence in the subjects in our sample. Irrespective of the history of alcohol dependence, persons who had consumed alcohol recently (within the last 3,4 days) showed significantly higher mean basal, CsF-stimulated, and forskolin-stimulated AC activity (p < 0.001), as did those who had elevated 5-HTOL/5-HIAA ratios or CDT levels, indicative of recent (heavy) drinking. The "normalization" of platelet AC activity to baseline levels after an individual stops drinking may be related to the generation of new platelets during the abstinence period. Conduct disorder and antisocial personality disorder were not associated with low AC activity, but low forskolin-stimulated AC activity was associated with major depression. Conclusions: We found that CsF- and forskolin-stimulated platelet AC activity discriminates between subjects with and without alcohol dependence in a population of subjects who had not consumed significant quantities of ethanol recently. Recent alcohol consumption is a confounding variable that can alter the measured levels of AC activity. Forskolin-stimulated platelet AC activity also may be influenced by a history of major depression. [source] Risk factors for suicide attempts in patients with alcohol dependence or abuse and a history of depressive symptoms: A subgroup analysis from the WHO/ISBRA studyDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 1 2010ÖZGÜR YALDIZLI Abstract Introduction and Aims. Alcoholism, depression and suicide attempts (SA) are strongly interrelated. The aims were to determine risk factors and develop a prognostic predictor model for SA in a subgroup of patients with a history of alcohol dependence or abuse and depressive symptoms. Design and Methods. A subgroup analysis from the data of the World Health Organisation (WHO)/the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism (ISBRA)-collaborative study on biological state and trait marker of alcohol use and dependence, an international multi-centre study with a cross-sectional design, based on a standardised questionnaire. We analysed from 1314 variables 43 factors,including demographic characteristics, dependence variables, comorbid disorders, personality trait markers and family history,that were supposed to be most predictive for SA according to the literature. Correlation analyses by the ,2 -test and Mann,Whitney U -test were performed to obtain statistical meaningful parameters for logistic regression analysis. Results. Of the 1863 persons included in the WHO/ISBRA study, 292 had both a history of depressive symptoms and alcohol dependence or abuse and were included in the subgroup analysis. In the logistic regression analysis, drinking status, depressive symptoms, adverse drinking experiences during alcohol consumption, bad experiences from drug abuse and antidepressant therapy were found to be independent risk factors for SA. Positive family history of alcoholism was a model-improving co-factor. This predictive model explains approximately 60% of the variance (Nagelkerkes' square). Discussion and Conclusions. This prognostic model derived from data of the WHO/ISBRA collaborative study shows important risk factors for SA in patients with history of alcohol abuse or dependence and depressive symptoms. [ Yaldizli Ö, Kuhl HC, Graf M, Wiesbeck GA, Wurst FM. Risk factors for suicide attempts in patients with alcohol dependence or abuse and a history of depressive symptoms: A subgroup analysis from the WHO/ISBRA study. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009] [source] The platelet as a peripheral marker in psychiatric illnessHUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 3 2001Helein Plein Abstract The identification of peripheral markers of psychiatric illness is important if an improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases with overlapping symptomatology is desired. There are many disorders that not only have overlapping symptomatology, but also have similar biological disturbances. The functional capability of the neurons involved in the disease processes may be at the crux of the underlying pathology. The platelet intracellular calcium response to neurotransmitter stimulation has previously been used as a peripheral marker of psychiatric illness. This review discusses evidence in support of the extended use of the platelet as a peripheral marker. The use of the platelet intracellular calcium response to neurotransmitter stimulation as a state or trait marker in major depression, the specificity and selectivity of this response, and the possible use of the platelet as a peripheral marker in psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, mania and psychotic depression are shown. Finally, a proposed mechanism for the association between certain psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular disease is discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Mismatch Negativity: No Difference Between Controls and Abstinent AlcoholicsALCOHOLISM, Issue 1 2004George Fein Abstract: Background: A number of studies have examined the amplitude of the mismatch negativity (MMN) evoked potential as a measure of a brain inhibitory deficit in alcoholics or those at risk for alcoholism. The current study examined MMN in alcoholics abstinent an average of 6.7 years (with a minimum of six months abstinence) compared to controls. This study examined the association of MMN with alcoholism family history density, with indices of the presence and severity of externalizing disorders (a risk-factor for alcoholism), and with alcohol use variables. Methods: Electroencephalograms were gathered on 76 subjects (38 controls, 38 abstinent alcoholics) during a nonattending mismatch negativity experiment. Measures of alcoholism family history density, disinhibited personality traits, and antisocial symptoms served as measures of risk-factors known to be associated with a genetic liability to alcoholism. Alcohol use variables were used as measures of alcoholism severity. Results: There were no differences in MMN amplitude or latency between controls and abstinent alcoholics. There also were no significant associations between MMN measures and the measures of risk for alcoholism or with the severity of alcohol use or duration of abstinence. Conclusions: The results suggest that MMN is neither affected in chronic alcoholics nor associated with alcoholism vulnerability, and thus does not reflect a trait marker of alcoholism or alcoholism risk. The current results do not address effects on MMN of acute alcohol ingestion or withdrawal from alcohol. [source] Executive functioning in offspring at risk for depression and anxietyDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 9 2009Jamie A. Micco Ph.D. Abstract Background: Executive functioning deficits (EFDs) have been found in adults with major depression and some anxiety disorders, yet it is unknown whether these deficits predate onset of disorder, or whether they reflect acute symptoms. Studies of at-risk offspring can shed light on this question by examining whether EFDs characterize children at high risk for depression and anxiety who are not yet symptomatic. Methods: This study examined neuropsychological functioning in a sample of 147 children, ages 6,17 years (M age=9.16, SD=1.82), of parents with major depression (MDD) and/or panic disorder (PD) and of controls with neither disorder. Children were assessed via structured diagnostic interviews and neuropsychological measures. Results: Although parental MDD and PD were not associated with neuropsychological impairments, presence of current offspring MDD was associated with poorer performance on several executive functioning and processing speed measures. Children with current generalized anxiety showed poorer verbal memory, whereas children with social phobia had more omissions on a continuous performance task. Conclusions: Findings suggest that EFDs do not serve as trait markers for developing anxiety or depression but appear to be symptomatic of current disorder. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Risk factors for suicide attempts in patients with alcohol dependence or abuse and a history of depressive symptoms: A subgroup analysis from the WHO/ISBRA studyDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 1 2010ÖZGÜR YALDIZLI Abstract Introduction and Aims. Alcoholism, depression and suicide attempts (SA) are strongly interrelated. The aims were to determine risk factors and develop a prognostic predictor model for SA in a subgroup of patients with a history of alcohol dependence or abuse and depressive symptoms. Design and Methods. A subgroup analysis from the data of the World Health Organisation (WHO)/the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism (ISBRA)-collaborative study on biological state and trait marker of alcohol use and dependence, an international multi-centre study with a cross-sectional design, based on a standardised questionnaire. We analysed from 1314 variables 43 factors,including demographic characteristics, dependence variables, comorbid disorders, personality trait markers and family history,that were supposed to be most predictive for SA according to the literature. Correlation analyses by the ,2 -test and Mann,Whitney U -test were performed to obtain statistical meaningful parameters for logistic regression analysis. Results. Of the 1863 persons included in the WHO/ISBRA study, 292 had both a history of depressive symptoms and alcohol dependence or abuse and were included in the subgroup analysis. In the logistic regression analysis, drinking status, depressive symptoms, adverse drinking experiences during alcohol consumption, bad experiences from drug abuse and antidepressant therapy were found to be independent risk factors for SA. Positive family history of alcoholism was a model-improving co-factor. This predictive model explains approximately 60% of the variance (Nagelkerkes' square). Discussion and Conclusions. This prognostic model derived from data of the WHO/ISBRA collaborative study shows important risk factors for SA in patients with history of alcohol abuse or dependence and depressive symptoms. [ Yaldizli Ö, Kuhl HC, Graf M, Wiesbeck GA, Wurst FM. Risk factors for suicide attempts in patients with alcohol dependence or abuse and a history of depressive symptoms: A subgroup analysis from the WHO/ISBRA study. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009] [source] CLINICAL STUDY: The P300 event-related potential and its possible role as an endophenotype for studying substance use disorders: a reviewADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Shubh M. Singh ABSTRACT The concept of endophenotypes has gained popularity in recent years. This is because of the potential that endophenotypes provide of measuring objective trait markers that are simpler to access and assess than complex behavioral disease phenotypes themselves. The simplicity, ease of measurement and the putative links to the etiology of the disease in the study of an endophenotype has the potential promise of unraveling the genetic basis of the disease in question. Of the various proposed endophenotypes, the P300 component of the event-related potential has been used in studies on alcoholism, schizophrenia and externalizing disorders. The current state of knowledge regarding the concept of endophenotypes, P300 and the validity of P300 as an endophenotype with special reference to substance use disorders is discussed in this review. The implications of the above are discussed. [source] WHO/ISBRA Study on State and Trait Markers of Alcohol Use and Dependence: Analysis of Demographic, Behavioral, Physiologic, and Drinking Variables That Contribute to Dependence and Seeking TreatmentALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2002Jason Glanz Background Discussions between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Society on Biomedical Research on Alcoholism (ISBRA) identified the need for a multiple-center international study on state and trait markers of alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. The reasoning behind the generation of such a project included the need to understand the alcohol use characteristics of diverse populations and the performance of biological markers of alcohol use in a variety of settings throughout the world. A second major reason for initiating this study was to collect DNA for well-structured and stratified association studies between genetic markers and/or "candidate" genes and behavioral/physiological phenotypes of importance to predisposition to alcohol dependence. Methods An extensive interview instrument was developed with leadership from the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). The instrument was translated from English to Finnish, French, German, Japanese, and Portuguese (Brazilian). One thousand eight hundred sixty-three subjects were recruited at five clinical centers (Montreal, Canada; Helsinki, Finland; Sapporo, Japan; São Paulo, Brazil; and Sydney, Australia). The subjects responded to the structured interview and provided blood and urine samples for biochemical analysis. This article focuses on the demographic characteristics of the study subjects, their drinking habits, alcohol-dependence characteristics, comorbid psychiatric and other drug variables, and predictors for seeking treatment for alcohol dependence. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed and used to explore variables that contribute to various levels of alcohol consumption, to a diagnosis of alcohol dependence, and to seeking treatment for alcohol dependence. ANOVA with post hoc comparisons, ,2, and Pearson moment calculations were used as necessary to assess additional relationships between variables. Results A number of factors previously noted in disparate studies were confirmed in our analysis. Men consumed more alcohol than women, Asians consumed less alcohol than whites or Blacks, alcohol-dependent subjects consumed more alcohol than nondependent subjects, alcohol consumption increased with age, and an increased level of education (university or postgraduate education) reduced the percentage of such individuals in the category designated as heavy drinkers (>210 g alcohol/week) and in the group who were currently in treatment for dependence. However, our analysis allowed for much more detailed comparisons; for example, although men drank more than women on a g/day basis, the differences were less pronounced on g/kg/day basis, and alcohol-dependent women drank equal amounts of alcohol as alcohol-dependent men on a g/kg/day basis. Antisocial personality characteristics or reports of trouble sleeping when an individual stops drinking were associated with higher alcohol intake. The most important of the tested factors that contributed to a DSM-IV diagnosis of dependence, however, was the report of anxiety if an individual stopped drinking. In terms of the various criteria within the DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence, no one criterion seemed to be prominent for individuals who sought alcohol dependence treatment, but the higher the number of criteria met by the individual, the higher was the probability that he or she would be in treatment. Conclusions This initial report is the beginning of the "data mining" of this rich data set. The cross-national/cross-cultural aspects of this study allowed for multiple comparisons of variables across several ethnic/racial groups and allowed for assessment of biochemical markers for alcohol intake and predisposition to alcohol dependence in diverse settings. [source] | ||||||||||