Color Vision Deficiency in
Alcoholics and its Relationship with the BDNF Polymorphism
Šerý O., Lochman J., Zvolský P.1, Hlinomazová Z.2, Novotný M.1
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. 1 Oční klinika FN Brno, přednostka prof. MUDr. E. Vlková, CSc.2 |
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Summary:
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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