scholarly journals Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS): Testing For Polygenetic Predisposition and Risk to Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS)

10.5772/20067 ◽  
2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Blum ◽  
Frank Fornari ◽  
B.William Downs ◽  
Roger L. ◽  
John Giordano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Score ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Addiction Risk ◽  
Reward Deficiency Syndrome

In Search of Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS)-Free Controls: The “Holy Grail” in Genetic Addiction Risk Testing

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Blum ◽  
David Baron ◽  
Lisa Lott ◽  
Jessica V. Ponce ◽  
David Siwicki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Score ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Addictive Behaviors ◽  
Internet Gaming ◽  
Risk Alleles ◽  
Addiction Risk ◽  
Reward Deficiency Syndrome

Background: The search for an accurate, gene-based test to identify heritable risk factors for Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) was conducted based on hundreds of published studies about the role of dopamine in addictive behaviors, including risk for drug dependence and compulsive/impulsive behavior disorders. The term RDS was first coined by Blum’s group in 1995 to identify a group of behaviors with a common neurobiological mechanism associated with a polymorphic allelic propensity for hypodopaminergia. Objectives: To outline the process used to select risk alleles of reward genes for the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) test. Consequently, to address the limitations caused by inconsistent results that occur in many case-control behavioral association studies. These limitations are perhaps due to the failure of investigators to adequately screen controls for drug and alcohol use disorder, and any of the many RDS behaviors, including nicotine dependence, obesity, pathological gambling, and internet gaming addiction. Method: Review of the literature related to the function of risk alleles of reward genes associated with hypodopaminergia relevant case-control association studies for the selection of alleles to be measured by the Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS) test. Result: The prevalence of the DRD2 A1 allele in unscreened controls (33.3%), compared to “Super-Controls” [highly screened RDS controls (3.3%) in proband and family] is used to exemplify a possible solution. Conclusion: Unlike One Gene-One Disease (OGOD), RDS is polygenetic, and very complex. In addition, any RDS-related behaviors must be eliminated from the control group in order to obtain the best possible statistical analysis instead of comparing the phenotype with diseaseridden controls.

scholarly journals Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS): Molecular Neurogenetic Evidence for Predisposition to Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS)

2014 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 765-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Blum ◽  
Marlene Oscar-Berman ◽  
Zsolt Demetrovics ◽  
Debmalya Barh ◽  
Mark S. Gold
Keyword(s):  
Risk Score ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Addiction Risk ◽  
Reward Deficiency Syndrome

Neurogenetics and gene therapy for reward deficiency syndrome: are we going to the Promised Land?

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 973-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Blum ◽  
Peter K Thanos ◽  
Rajendra D Badgaiyan ◽  
Marcelo Febo ◽  
Marlene Oscar-Berman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Promised Land ◽  
Reward Deficiency Syndrome

Genetic addiction risk score analysis: hypodopaminergic polymorphic risk alleles in polydrug addicted males and meso-limbic dopaminergic agonistic activation by neuroadaptagen amino-acid therapy

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 803-803
Author(s):  
K. Blum ◽  
E. Stice ◽  
Y. Liu ◽  
J. Giordano ◽  
S. Morse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Risk Score ◽  
D2 Receptor ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Heroin Addicts ◽  
Acid Therapy ◽  
Risk Alleles ◽  
Addiction Risk ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionThere is a need to classify patients at genetic risk for drug seeking behavior prior to or upon entry to chemical dependency programs.MethodsThe prevalence of seven risk alleles (DRD2 = A1; SLC6A3 (DAT) = 10R; DRD4 = 3R or 7R; 5HTTLPR = L or LA; MAO = 3R; COMT = G) and corresponding severity risk score (Low (LS) = 1–36%, moderate (MS) = 37–50%, and high (HS) = 51–100%) were calculated. Group 1 consisted of 16 Caucasian male psycho-stimulant addicts, and Group 2 consisted of 10 Chinese male heroin addicts (9 were genotyped). qEEG and fMRI visualized the impact of Neuroadaptagen Amino-Acid Therapy complex on mesolimbic system activation.Results[Findings by Group]74% of the combined groups had a moderate to high genetic addiction risk score (GARS). One acute dose of KB220-IV variant in heroin addicts having brain abnormalities was found to normalize qEEG. Additionally, a randomized double-blind placebo controlled study involving oral KB220-Z variant established qEEG normalization of reward circuitry in abstinent psycho-stimulant abusers (P < 0.03).ConclusionsWe cautiously suggest that long-term activation of dopaminergic receptors will lead to D2 receptor proliferation and enhanced “dopamine sensitivity,” thus reducing aberrant craving behavior especially in carriers of the DRD2 A1 allele. Although supported by 20 clinical trials, KB220-Z awaits PET scanning to determine its chronic effects on D2 receptor numbers.

scholarly journals The D2 Dopamine Receptor Gene as a Determinant of Reward Deficiency Syndrome

1996 ◽  
Vol 89 (7) ◽  
pp. 396-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Blum ◽  
P J Sheridan ◽  
R C Wood ◽  
E R Braverman ◽  
T J H Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dopamine Receptor ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Brain Dysfunction ◽  
Genetic Determinants ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Reward Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Dopamine Receptor Gene ◽  
The Brain ◽  
D2 Dopamine Receptor Gene

The dopaminergic system, and in particular the dopamine D2 receptor, has been profoundly implicated in reward mechanisms in the brain. Dysfunction of the D2 dopamine receptors leads to aberrant substance seeking behaviour (alcohol, drug, tobacco, and food) and other related behaviours (pathological gambling, Tourette's syndrome, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). We propose that variants of the D2 dopamine receptor gene are important common genetic determinants of the ‘reward deficiency syndrome’.

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