Serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism and differences in alcohol comsumption behaviour in a college student population

Abstract

Aims and methods: In the present study, differences in alcohol consumption behaviour associated with the presence of the short variant (S) of the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) was investigated in a Caucasian subset (n = 204) of 268 college students. Results: Students who were homozygous for the S allele were more likely to engage in binge-drinking behaviour, drank more alcohol per occasion, and reported drinking to get drunk more often. Conclusions: In this Caucasian sample, the 5-HTTLPR strongly influences alcohol consumption in late pubescence.