PDZ domain protein (MPDZ), mediates drug withdrawal responses in mice and humans (Shirley et al., 2004; Fehr et al., 2002; Reilly et al., 2008; Milner et al., 2015; Chen and Buck, 2010; Chen et al., 2011). MPDZ is critical for serotonin type 2 receptor signaling and likely mediates variation in alcohol withdrawal severity via alterations in serotonin signaling fidelity (Reilly et al., 2008; Chen et al., 2009; Buck et al., 2004). Thus, SNPs within HTR1A associated with alcohol dependence (Zuo et al., 2012) could alter compulsive drug seeking behavior which predominates during the preoccupation-anticipation stage of addiction.
