The aim of this thesis is to investigate the methylation of the dopamine transporter (DAT) promoter at the onset of
The aim of this thesis is to investigate the methylation of the dopamine transporter (DAT) promoter at the onset of alcohol withdrawal in order to identify possible links between alcohol dependence and craving. Craving is the strong desire for a substance such as alcohol – in banal terms also “binge drinking”.
At the beginning of alcohol withdrawal, venous blood was taken from the patients and the DNA contained therein was examined for specific methylation of the DAT promoter. Significantly higher methylation of the DAT promoter was found compared to the healthy control group.
This indicates that alcohol dependence led to hypermethylation of the DAT promoter and could ultimately be responsible for a reduction in craving.
Alcohol dependence and the specific methylation of the dopamine transporter gene (german)
