Research Suggests That Alcohol Dependence Is Gene-related

Approximately 18.6 million people ages 12 and older have reported either alcohol abuse or dependence

. Some of the latest research from scientists suggests that some of these people may be predisposed to alcoholism because of a gene or genes that predispose them to alcoholism.

Does it seem like youve always been able to drink more than your friends? Perhaps this is what led you down the path of alcohol dependence. This may be due to your friend possessing the gene CYP2E1, which is located on the terminal region of chromosome 10 and plays a significant role in alcohol metabolism in the brain.

Approximately 10 to 20% of the population that possesses a certain variant of the CYP2E1 gene have a high sensitivity to alcohol, meaning their bodies, particularly their brains, react different to alcohol than other people when alcohol is consumed. This variation does not appear to impact the livers metabolism of alcohol but significantly affects the amount of alcohol a person can drink, as well as motor skills when impaired.

But its not just CYP2E1 that has caused a buzz among researchers. More than one gene can predispose an individual to alcoholism. For instance, AUTS2 is a gene that up until this point has been only linked to autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In recent years, however, its been discovered that people with a rarer version of AUTS2 consume, on average, 5 % less alcohol than people with the more common form.

The fact that geneticists are able to trace genes and their impact on alcoholism could help doctors treat alcoholism medically, particularly CYP2E1. People struggling to cope with alcoholism be given the variant of CYP2E1 that is more sensitive to alcohol and it would therefore curb their drinking habits. Experiments have already begun in this department with mice, fish, and other species, in hopes of curtailing drinking behavior. So far, these studies appear promising in the treatment of alcoholism but no drug containing this is available.

In the mean time, there are medications such as suboxone, that can be used to treat drug and alcohol addiction, designed to eliminate withdrawal symptoms and minimize cravings. Most importantly, though, counseling should be pursued for people struggling to cope with addictions. Often times, alcohol addiction is merely a symptom of psychological problems, including post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, childhood abuse, anxiety, eating disorders, inability to cope with stress, and more.

by: Laine McKenna

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