Case control study of ANKK1 Taq 1A polymorphism in patients with alcohol dependence classified according to Lesch's typology.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the association between the Taq 1A polymorphism of the ANKK1 gene in homogeneous subgroups of patients with alcohol dependence syndrome divided according to Lesch's typology. MATERIAL/METHODS: DNA was provided from alcohol-dependent (AD) patients (n = 373) and healthy control subjects (n = 168), all of Polish descent. The history of alcoholism was obtained using the Polish version of the SSAGA (Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism). Samples were genotyped using the PCR method. RESULTS: We found no association between alcohol dependence and ANKK1 Taq 1A polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS: Lesch's typology is a clinical consequence of the disease, and its phenotypic description is too complex for simple genetic analysis.