Personality traits and dopamine receptors (D2 and D4): linkage studies in families of alcoholics

Activation of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway appears to promote drug- and alcohol-seeking behavior in laboratory animals. Results for association and linkage analysis between various alcohol dependence phenotypes and the dopamine receptors have been quite mixed. Similarly, both positive and negative results have been presented concerning dopamine receptor genes and temperament. Cloninger has postulated that the novelty seeking factor from the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) may be related to the dopamine neurotransmitter system. As novelty seeking is a trait of some importance for substance-dependent individuals, our goal was to test this relationship within a sample of families of alcoholics. No evidence favoring linkage between D2, D4, or DAT1 was found for TPQ novelty seeking. However, the harm-avoidance trait from the TPQ showed evidence for linkage to both the D4 and one of the D2 loci (TaqI A). The Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) was used to provide converging evidence for these results. The TPQ harm-avoidance scale loads heavily on introversion (worry, pessimism, shyness), characteristics that may be especially salient in alcoholic families. Thus, planned comparisons were made between selected MPQ traits measuring the affective dimension (negative affectivity, stress reaction, alienation, and well-being). We find evidence favoring linkage between the D2 and D4 receptor loci and these MPQ traits, with stronger evidence being seen for the D2 polymorphisms. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 88:634-641, 1999.     

A molecular phylogenetic study of the caecal fluke of poultry,Postharmostomum commutatum (= P. gallinum) (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae)

Parasitology Research - Postharmostomum commutatum (Dietz, 1858), a parasite of the caeca of poultry, has been reported from many different parts of the world. Despite its importance,...     

Use and Non-Use of Medication by Sufferers of Selected Symptoms of Depression

Abstract

The overuse of drugs as a means of alleviating stress and anxiety is thought to be characteristic of modern American society. This article addresses the problem by asking the question: given the number of people suffering from certain common symptoms, what percentage will seek relief through the use of medication? Multiple standardization is used to assess the effects of race, sex, age, marital status, and SES on the proportions of people reporting each symptom and the proportions of those who took medications, both before and after standardization for subgroup differences. More than 40 percent of the nearly 4000 adults surveyed reported some problems of sleeplessness and enervation, but when only those who reported persistent problems are examined, very few resorted to medications. The authors conclude that the U.S. is not a “pill-popping” society as depicted by the popular press.