Dimensions of Craving Interact with <i>COMT</i> Genotype to Predict Relapse in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder Six Months after Treatment

• Main Authors: Claudia B. Padula, Annika Hansen, Rachel L. Hughes, M. Windy McNerney
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: Brain Sciences
• Subjects: alcohol use disorder; genetics; <i>COMT</i>; craving; relapse; recent drinking history
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/1/62

(1) Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with poor medical, psychological, and psychosocial outcomes and approximately 60% of individuals with AUD relapse six months after treatment. Craving is a core aspect of AUD and associated with high risk of relapse. One promising avenue to improve outcomes may be in understanding the relationship between <i>COMT</i> genotype, craving, and treatment outcomes. (2) Methods: To this end, we assessed craving, recent drinking history, and impulsivity in 70 individuals with AUD undergoing a standard course of treatment at a regional Veteran Affairs (VA) medical center. Saliva samples were collected to determine <i>COMT</i> genotype. In this prospective observational study, participants were followed for six months to determine who went on to relapse after treatment. (3) Results: Results revealed a significant interaction between craving and catechol-<i>O</i>-methyltransferse (<i>COMT</i>) genotype in predicting relapse. Post hoc exploratory analyses indicated that Met/Met homozygotes reported the highest levels of craving, and craving was associated with recent drinking history. Among Val/Val homozygotes, who had higher rates of relapse, craving was associated with impulsivity. (4) Conclusions: These associations highlight that specific profiles of psychological and biological factors may be important in understanding which individuals are at highest risk of relapse following treatment. Future studies that build on these findings are warranted.