Alcoholism genetic factors

Twin, family and adoption studies have provided compelling evidence that there is genetic as well as environmental risk for developing alcoholism. Genetic and environmental factors contribute approximately equal proportions to risk in both men and women [1],... 

Bosron WF, Ehrig T, Li T-K. Genetic factors in alcohol metabolism and alcoholism. Semin Liver Dis 1993 13 126-135. 

Comings, D. E. (1994) Genetic-factors in substance-abuse based on studies of Tourette-syn-drome and ADHD probands and relatives. 1. Drug-abuse. Drug Alcohol. Depend. 35,1-16. 

Mayfield RD, Harris RA, Schuckit MA Genetic factors influencing alcohol dependence. Br J Pharmacol 2008 154 275. [PMID 18362899]... 

There are also genetic factors that are protective against alcoholism. Approximately half of Asian populations have a gene that interferes with the metabolism of alcohol, and a toxic metabolite of alcohol accumulates in their body. When they drink alcohol, acetaldehyde accumulates, and they experience the very unpleasant symptoms of rapid heartbeat, flushing, heat, and dropping blood pressure, and they feel intoxicated with very low levels of alcohol in their blood. These individuals rarely, if ever, abuse alcohol. All the genetic factors combined explain about 60% of the risk of alcoholism, with environmental factors contributing about 40% (Schuckit, 2003). 

To date, proteomic investigations into human heart disease have centered on dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is a disease of unknown etiology, characterized by impaired systolic function resulting in heart failure. Known contributory factors of DCM are viral infections, cardiac-specific autoantibodies, toxic agents, genetic factors, and sustained alcohol abuse. As many as 100 cardiac proteins... 

The reason is that alcohol is an addictive drug for some individuals. Some people are more prone to this, and there is evidence of a genetic factor as it seems to occur in families. It has been shown that alcohol can produce morphine-like chemicals in the brain. Some people become dependent on alcohol and experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking. They suffer craving, headaches, trembling, insomnia, and anxiety, and become desperate for another drink, a fix , just like a cocaine or heroin addict. (Anyone who has seen the film Days of Wine and Roses, with Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick, wiU be familiar with the symptoms and effects.)... 

Studies in twins have suggested that genetic factors may be important in the development of alcoholic liver damage. While there are differences in the various enzymes involved with alcohol metabolism, some of the differences are not consistent or large enough to account for differences in susceptibility. Genetic differences in protective mechanisms and genes involved with inflammation have also been linked to susceptibility to alcohol-induced liver disease. 

At present, there are only hypothetical explanations for the cause of the contracture and its correlation with liver cirrhosis. A genetic factor probably plays a part, possibly also in combination with genuine epilepsy. Its more frequent incidence in alcoholic cirrhosis points to a disorder in collagen metabolism as a pathogenic factor. 

In rural sub-Saharan Africa, there is a kind of beer which is traditionally brewed in iron vats. The daily iron overload can amount to as much as 200 mg with markedly increased iron absorption (T.H. Bothwell et at, 1965). Such a condition is also observed in South Africa among the black population. Their diet consists of porridge fermented in iron pots with an acid pH value (V.R. Gordeuk et al., 1986). In both conditions, absorption of iron is facilitated by various factors, e. g. protein or vitamin C deficiency, alcohol abuse, acidic diet. It has been suggested that such iron overload is triggered by genetic factors. (437)... 

Alcohol abuse Alcohol abuse is the most common cause of cirrhosis. Nevertheless, no more than 40-60% of alcoholics contract the disease. Thus genetic factors must also be involved in the development of alcoholic cirrhosis. Alcohol itself can be a facilitative factor or cofactor. Moreover, so-called additives contained in various alcoholic beverages in widely different quantities may also be of greater importance than has hitherto been assmned. (100, 171, 186) (s. pp 528, 532) (s. fig. 28.13, 28.14)... 

Acetylator status and other genetic factors, old age, preexisting hepatic dysfunction, alcoholism, co-infection with hepatitis virus, and malnutrition are important potential susceptibility factors for the development of liver damage in patients taking antituberculosis drugs (21), but there have been inconsistent findings with regard to some of these risk factors in different studies. 

Beyond the genetic factors, the causes of ADHD are unknown and very few studies have examined the relationship between ADHD and exposures to environmental chemicals. It is known, however, that maternal prenatal exposures to lead, alcohol, tobacco smoke, and marijuana are known to result in the birth of children with high incidences of ADHDJ14-17 ft has also been established that exposure to excessive quantities of phenylalanine either prenatally in utero, as a result of the mother having phenylketonuria (PKU) and fetus not having PKU, or postnatally where the child has PKU, results in the development of ADHD hyperactive and behavioral... 

Genetic factors. As discussed below, inherited predisposition to alcoholism has been clearly established. 

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