The expression of dopamine receptor (DRD), Nurr1 transcription factor (NR4A2), and α-sinucleine (SNCA) genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes is evaluated. The results indicate that alcohol dependence is associated with high expression of SNCA and DRD4 (signifi cantly higher than in the control group) and is not associated with changes in the work of NR4A2 and DRD3 genes. The levels of DRD3 and DRD4 mRNA form a positive linear correlation (p≤0.05). The expression of SNCA and DRD4 genes can serve as an important peripheral marker of alcohol dependence development, which is essential for antipsychotic therapy.
Keywords: alcohol dependence syndrome; dopaminergic neurotransmission proteins; gene expression; peripheral blood lymphocytes; real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.