PRIMARY STUDY

A nonsynonymous polymorphism in the human fatty acid amide hydrolase gene did not associate with either methamphetamine dependence or schizophrenia

Key Findings:  Genetic aspects in the underlying pathologies of substance abuse and dependence are of major interest. Endocannabinoid system involvement is significant. As such fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) a major enzyme responsible to the break down of endocannabinoids may present a novel treatment approach. To clarify a possible involvement of FAAH in the etiology of methamphetamine dependence/psychosis or schizophrenia, we examined the polymorphism of the FAAH gene (Pro129Thr) by a case-control study. However, we found no significant association in allele and genotype frequencies of the polymorphism with either disorder. As such, it is unlikely that dysfunction of FAAH produces vulnerabilities to either methamphetamine dependence/psychosis or schizophrenia.