Color Vision Deficiency in Alcoholics and its Relationship with the BDNF Polymorphism

Czech version

Authors: O. Šerý; J. Lochman; P. Zvolský ¹; Z. Hlinomazová ²; M. Novotný ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Laboratoř neurobiologie a molekulární psychiatrie, Laboratoře molekulární fyziologie, Ústav biochemie Přírodovědecká fakulta MU, Brno ředitel Ústavu biochemie doc. Ing. M. Mandl, CSc. Psychiatrická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha ; přednosta prof. MUDr. J. Raboch, DrSc. Oční klinika FN Brno ¹; přednostka prof. MUDr. E. Vlková, CSc. ²
Published in: Čes. a slov. Psychiat., 104, 2008, No. 3, pp. 115-119.
Category: Original Article

Overview

Alcoholism induces the brain damage but it may also cause the color vision deficiency. In our association study of genetic dispositions to the alcoholism in 167 alcoholics and 289 non-alcoholic controls, we studied a relationship between candidate genes and alcoholism. In all subjects involved in this study many factors, e.g. color vision deficiencies, were examined. Surprisingly, after the statistical analysis, we found that 47.9% of alcoholics have problems with color vision deficiency and moreover that this color vision deficiency is in a relationship with the polymorphism of BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) gene. It is well known that BDNF plays a role in the neurodevelopment of retina and in the protection of photoreceptors from apoptosis. Potential role of BDNF gene in the color vision deficiency in alcoholics is discussed.

Key words:
alcoholism, BDNF, retina, vision, color, apoptosis, GABA.

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Labels

Addictology Paediatric psychiatry Psychiatry

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Article was published in

Czech and Slovak Psychiatry

2008 Issue 3