[Alcoholism and heredity: biological basis of the predisposition to alcoholism]

Authors critically review current data about biochemical-physiological factors mediating genetic predisposition to alcoholism. Results of genetic investigation of the ethanol and acetaldehyde metabolism and the facts about enzyme polymorphism of systems of the ethanol biotransformation and genetic polymorphism of particular enzymes are summarized. Data about possible determinants of nervous system sensitivity to ethanol action are considered. The investigation of genetic basis of phenomena imminent to alcoholism by use of laboratory animals is discussed.