The Interaction Between Genetic Variant ZNF804A rs1344706 and Alcohol Withdrawal on Impulsivity: Evidence for the Diathesis-Stress Model

Objective: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most common substance use disorder, which may relate to increased impulsivity. A more detailed understanding of the potential moderating factor on association between AUD and impulsivity is likely to have far-reaching effects. This study aims to examine whether the interaction between a genetic variant ZNF804A rs1344706 and alcohol use is related to impulsivity in Chinese Han adult males diagnosed with AUD.Methods: A total of 455 Chinese Han adult males diagnosed with AUD were included in this study. Impulsivity was assessed using Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Alcohol dependence was measured by Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of participants and genotyped.Results: Hierarchical multiple regression yielded a significant interaction between ZNF804A rs1344706 and alcohol use (β = 0.20, p = 0.0237). Then, A region of significance (RoS) test was performed to interpret the interaction effect. Re-parameterized regression models revealed that the interaction between ZNF804A rs1344706 and alcohol problem severity fit to the weak diathesis-stress model (R2 = 0.15, p < 0.0010), indicating that the T allele carriers are more susceptible to alcohol problem severity, jointly contributing to impulsivity.Conclusions: This study, which analyzed a specific gene-environment interaction, demonstrated that carriers of the T allele of ZNF804A rs1344706 may be more susceptible to alcohol problem severity, correlated with higher levels of impulsivity during withdrawal.

Preliminary study of alcohol problem severity and response to brief intervention

Background Findings have been mixed as to whether brief intervention (BI) is appropriate and effective for individuals with more severe alcohol use problems. Motivation to change drinking has been supported as a mechanism of behavior change for BI. This exploratory study examined aspects of motivation as mechanisms of clinical response to BI and alcohol problem severity as a moderator of treatment effects. Methods Non-treatment-seeking heavy drinkers (average age = 35 years; 57% male) were randomized to receive BI (n = 27) or attention-matched control (n = 24). Three indices of motivation to change were assessed at baseline and post-intervention: importance, confidence, and readiness. Moderated mediation analyses were implemented with treatment condition as the focal predictor, changes in motivation as mediator, 1-month follow-up drinks per day as the outcome, and an alcohol severity factor as second-stage moderator. Results Analysis of importance displayed a significant effect of intervention condition on importance (p < 0.003) and yielded a significant index of moderated mediation (CI − 0.79, − 0.02), indicating that the conditional indirect effect of treatment condition on drinking through importance was stronger for those with higher alcohol severity. For all motivation indices, alcohol severity moderated the effect of post-intervention motivation levels on drinking (p’s < 0.05). The direct effect of treatment condition on drinking was not significant in any model. Conclusions Findings highlight the relevance of considering one’s degree of alcohol problem severity in BI and alcohol screening efforts among non-treatment seeking heavy drinkers. These nuanced effects elucidate both potential mechanisms and moderators of BI response. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04710095. Registered January 14, 2021—retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT04710095.

A FAMILY PROBLEM: THE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL ALCOHOL ON CHILDREN

As much as alcohol problem affects an alcoholic parents’ own functioning negatively, it also adversely affects their family. Because of dysfunctionalities of alcoholics such as lack of responsibility and disruption in roles, family home environment may become more chaotic and unstable. In these conditions, non-alcoholic family members may develop problems as well. Therefore alcohol problem is not the only problem which alcoholic people have, but also it is a family problem. In the present review, it is aimed to explain how the alcoholic parents influence their children in means of psychosocial and behavioral outcomes. Family is the most important factor for children socialization process and positive family environment is necessary for children’s well-being. Children learn and develop some basic skills such as sense of self, sense of others, coping strategies and how to regulate their emotions in family environment thanks to their parents. By examining the effects on children of alcoholic parents (CoAs) and by being aware of risk and protective factors, those children’s well-being can be protected.

Latent Growth Model of Predictors of Health Status in Korean Older Adults

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the health status trajectory of Korean older adults with chronic diseases and its relationship with relevant ecological level factors. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2013 to 2015 Korea Health Panel Survey using the latent growth model. Results: Results showed that Korean older adults' health status decreased over time. Relevant ecological level factors affecting older adults' health status directly or indirectly included alcohol problems, caregiver burden, and healthcare cost burdens. The higher the initial health status was found to be, the higher the initial alcohol problem and initial caregiver burden. The higher the initial caregiver burden was found to be, the higher the initial alcohol problem and initial healthcare cost burden. Conclusions: To improve the health status of older adults with chronic diseases, interventions and health policies to reduce alcohol problem, caregiver burden, and healthcare cost burden should be developed and implemented.