Aim: To test for the possible association between mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) promoter polymorphism and alcoholism.
Methods: Genotyping to identify the polymorphisms in 515 alcoholic patients and 361 normal controls was performed.
Results: There were no significant differences between the genotype and allele frequencies of the -357A/G polymorphism in alcoholics and normal controls. Linkage disequilibrium was observed between the promoter and exon 12 polymorphisms.
Conclusion: These results suggest the ALDH2 promoter polymorphism does not affect the risk for alcoholism.