Brief report: A positive association between the DAT1 gene and crack cocaine use disorders in a French Afro-Caribbean population

Introduction

Crack cocaine use disorder (CCUD) is a major public health with a strong heritability component.

Objectives

This study was aimed to investigate the putative association between the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1/SLC6A3) and crack-cocaine use disorders (CCUD) as well as the possible involvement of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), impulsivity and sensation-seeking.

Methods

Seventy-seven male subjects with CCUD were compared with 60 male control subjects of Afro-Caribbean origin. The Barratt Impulsivity Scale, the Wender Utah scale Scale-25 item and the Zuckerman Sensation-Seeking Scale were used. The subjects’ DNAs were genotyped by quantitative PCR (TaqMan method).

Results

We found an association with two SNPs (rs6347 and rs27048) of the DAT gene in crack-cocaine use disorder, and a significantly lower frequency of one of the three haplotype blocks of the DAT gene (AT haplotype, defined by the two previous SNPs) and CCUD.

Conclusion

DAT1 rs6347 and rs27048 polymorphisms seem to be associated with CCUD. The risk-effect of these polymorphisms appeared to be specific to individuals who are crack users rather than being driven by impulsivity or ADHD.