Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology

Addiction is a complex disease influenced by genetic, environmental, developmental and social factors; altered serotonin transmission is thought to increase susceptibility to a wide range of substance use disorders. Serotonin transporter (5HTT) gene polymorphisms were found to be associated with some forms of drug abuse. The aim of this study was to examine an association between 5 - HTTVNTR genotype variants in a serotonin transporter gene and susceptibility to tramadol dependence and to examine the correlation between the aforementioned genotype variants and the comorbid psychiatric conditions in tramadol abuse patients. A case control gene study was conducted to evaluate the frequencies of 5 - HTTVNTR genotype variants using SYBR green real-time PCR with melting curve analysis in tramadol addict and control subjects. Sixty tramadol addict subjects (30 with comorbid psychiatric condition and 30 without comorbid psychiatric condition) were taken from outpatient clinic of Kasr Alainy hospital and inpatient addiction ward. The control group consisted of thirty apparently healthy subjects with no history of drug use or current use

Issued also as CD