Serinc2 might play a role in alcohol dependence by virtue of the glutaminergic pathway. This pathway is widely known to play important roles in alcohol intoxication and withdrawal (Krystal et al., 2003). Within the hippocampus, Serinc2 expression is increased following seizures induced by kainite, a glutamate agonist (Inuzuka et al., 2005). A drug that blocks kainite glutamate receptor function appears to decrease drinking (Johnson et al., 2007). This evidence supports the glutaminergic pathway hypothesis underlying the connection between Serinc2 and alcohol dependence.
