Preliminary evidence for associations of CHRM2 with substance use and disinhibition in adolescence

Christian S. Hendershot, Angela D. Bryan, Sarah W. Feldstein Ewing, Eric D. Claus, Kent E. Hutchison

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Evidence for shared heritable influences across domains of substance use suggests that some genetic variants influence broad risk for externalizing behaviors. Theories of externalizing psychopathology also suggest that genetic liability for substance use manifests as temperamental risk factors, particularly those related to behavioral disinhibition, during adolescence. The cholinergic muscarinic receptor 2 gene (CHRM2) is a promising candidate for studying genetic influences on broad-based risk for externalizing traits. This study examined a candidate CHRM2 polymorphism (rs1455858) in relation to substance use and personality measures of disinhibition in a sample of high-risk adolescents (n=124). Bivariate analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM) evaluated associations of rs1455858 with measures of drug involvement (alcohol, tobacco and marijuana) and disinhibition (indexed by impulsivity and sensation seeking scores). Bivariate analyses showed significant associations of CHRM2 with several behavioral phenotypes. In SEM analyses CHRM2 related significantly to latent measures of substance use and disinhibition; additionally, disinhibition mediated the association of CHRM2 with substance use. These results suggest that CHRM2 variants are potentially relevant for adolescent substance use and that temperamental risk factors could contribute to these associations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)671-681
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Abnormal Child Psychology
Volume39
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Disinhibitory psychopathology
  • Drug dependence
  • Response inhibition
  • Risk-taking
  • SNP

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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