Aim
This study aimed to investigate the function of genome-wide association study (GWAS)-identified variants associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD)/comorbid psychiatric disorders. Materials &
Conclusion
PFC cis-eQTLs/cis-mQTLs influence gene expression/DNA methylation patterns, thus increasing the disease risk.
Methods
Genome-wide genotype, transcriptome and DNA methylome data were obtained from postmortem prefrontal cortex (PFC) of 48 Caucasians (24 AUD cases/24 controls). Expression/methylation quantitative trait loci (eQTL/mQTL) were identified and their enrichment in GWAS signals for the above disorders were analyzed.
Results
PFC cis-eQTLs (923 from cases+controls, 27 from cases and 98 from controls) and cis-mQTLs (9,932 from cases+controls, 264 from cases and 695 from controls) were enriched in GWAS-identified genetic variants for the above disorders. Cis-eQTLs from AUD cases were mapped to morphine addiction-related genes.