Serotonin transporter gene and treatment of alcoholism
The gene responsible for encoding SERT has a functional polymorphism at the 5′-regulatory promoter region, which results in two forms, long (L) and short (S). The LL-genotype is hypothesized to play a key role in the early onset of alcohol use. The present invention discloses the differences in treatment and diagnosis based on the L or short genotypes as well as on a single nucleotide polymorphism of the SERT gene, the 3′ UTR SNP rs 1042173. The present invention demonstrates the efficacy of using the drug ondansetron and similar drugs for treatment based on variations in the polymorphisms of the SERT gene as well as methods for diagnosing susceptibility to abuse of alcohol and other addiction-related diseases and disorders.
1. A method of treating an alcohol-related disease, comprising: administering an antagonist of the serotonin receptor 5-HT3 to a patient known to have the LL genotype of functional polymorphism serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region 5-HTTLPR of the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4 and known to have the TT genotype of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs1042173 of the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the 5-HT3 antagonist is ondansetron.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alcohol-related disease is alcohol dependence.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient suffers from early onset alcoholism.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patient suffers from late onset alcoholism.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the ondansetron is administered at a dosage ranging from about 1.0 μg/kg per application to about 5.0 μg/kg per application.
7. The method of claim 2 , wherein ondansetron is administered at a dosage of about 3.0 μg/kg per application or about 4.0 μg/kg per application.
8. The method of claim 2 , wherein ondansetron is administered at least twice a day.
9. The method of claim 2 , wherein the alcohol-related disease is alcohol dependence.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the ondansetron is administered at a dosage ranging from about 1.0 μg/kg per application to about 5.0 μg/kg per application.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein ondansetron is administered at a dosage of about 3.0 μg/kg per application or about 4.0 μg/kg per application.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein ondansetron is administered at least twice a day.
13. A method of treating an alcohol-related disease, comprising: (a) determining whether serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4 of a patient has an LL genotype of functional polymorphism serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region 5-HTTLPR; (b) determining whether a patient has the G allele or is homozygous for the T allele of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs1042173 of the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4; and (c) administering an antagonist of the serotonin receptor 5-HT3 to the patient if the patient is found to have the LL genotype and the TT genotype so as to treat an alcohol-related disease.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the 5-HT3 antagonist is ondansetron.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the alcohol-related disease is alcohol dependence.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the patient suffers from early onset alcoholism.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the patient suffers from late onset alcoholism.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the ondansetron is administered at a dosage ranging from about 1.0 μg/kg per application to about 5.0 μg/kg per application.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein ondansetron is administered at a dosage of about 3.0 μg/kg per application or about 4.0 μg/kg per application.
20. The method of claim 14 , wherein ondansetron is administered at least twice a day.
21. The method of claim 14 , wherein the alcohol-related disease is alcohol dependence.
22. The method of claim 14 , wherein the ondansetron is administered at a dosage ranging from about 1.0 μg/kg per application to about 5.0 μg/kg per application.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein ondansetron is administered at a dosage of about 3.0 μg/kg per application or about 4.0 μg/kg per application.
24. The method of claim 21 , wherein ondansetron is administered at least twice a day.