Genetic Studies of Cocaine Dependence; Genetic Studies of Opiate Dependence

Description:
Cocaine dependence (CD) is a common disorder resulting in social, medical and psychiatric disability. The disorder is influenced by genetic factors; there is a strong expectation of genetic heterogeneity and complex inheritance. No human research has been completed which unequivocally establishes locations of genes contributing to CD, and no previous research has attempted to assemble a collection of DNA samples allowing for a study even approaching the power required to map genes influencing CD risk. This is an optimal time to initiate such a study. This application presents a plan to undertake a large-scale collection of families segregating CD to permit a linkage study of this disorder with the power to identify genomic regions containing susceptibility loci. This study will be a pioneering investigation into the genetic underpinnings of CD, and the first large-scale linkage study of the disorder, a crucial step toward identifying the genetic mechanisms underlying inherited vulnerability to CD.

Opioid dependence (OD) is a common disorder resulting in social, medical and psychiatric disability. The disorder is influenced by genetic factors; there is a strong expectation of genetic heterogeneity and complex inheritance. No human research has been completed which unequivocally establishes locations of genes contributing to OD; no previous research has attempted to assemble a collection of DNA samples allowing for a study even approaching the power required to map genes for this genetically complex disorder. New methods for genetic analysis of complex traits make this an optimal time to initiate such a study. This application presents a plan to undertake a large-scale collection of families segregating OD to permit a linkage study of this disorder with the power to identify genomic regions containing susceptibility loci. This study will be a pioneering investigation into the genetic underpinnings of human OD, and the first large-scale linkage study of the disorder, a crucial step toward identifying the genetic mechanisms underlying inherited vulnerability to OD.