Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
07:28
An Inexpensive, Scalable Behavioral Assay for Measuring Ethanol Sedation Sensitivity and Rapid Tolerance in Drosophila
Published on: April 15, 2015
Genetics of alcohol dependence
Mitsuru Kimura1, Susumu Higuchi
1National Hospital Organization, Kurihama Alcoholism Center, Kanagawa, Japan. kimura.mitsuru@gmail.com
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
|April 22, 2011
Summary
Genetic factors significantly influence alcohol dependence risk. Identifying specific genes, like those for alcohol-metabolizing enzymes and neural transmission, improves understanding and treatment strategies for addiction.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Genetic factors are consistently implicated in alcohol dependence pathogenesis.
- Numerous studies have explored genes contributing to alcohol dependence susceptibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current knowledge on genes associated with alcohol dependence.
- To highlight the role of genetic polymorphisms in alcohol dependence risk and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of twin, family, adoption, linkage, and association studies.
- Examination of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for gene discovery.
Main Results:
- Established associations between alcohol-metabolizing enzymes (ADH1B, ALDH2) and alcohol dependence risk.
- Identified polymorphisms in GABA receptor and opioid receptor mu 1 genes linked to alcohol dependence.
- Noted inconsistent results for neural transmission genes, suggesting heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
- Genetic research is crucial for understanding alcohol dependence mechanisms.
- Phenotypic classification and GWAS are key strategies for identifying vulnerability genes.
- Advances in genetic knowledge aid in developing prevention and treatment strategies for addiction.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Human Genetics
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
01:23Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs
Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...
01:17Drug Dependence
Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
01:29Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
Genetic variations significantly influence drug response through pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, and biologic milieu modifications. Pharmacokinetic alterations impact drug metabolism and clearance, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Variants in drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, alter drug activation and elimination. For example, CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants require lower warfarin doses to prevent excessive bleeding, while CYP2C19 variants reduce clopidogrel...