Genetic Link to Alcoholism
Alcohol consumption is fairly common, most adults and young adults have drank at least once in their life and some as often as once a day. While alcohol can be fun drinking can go from a fun thing to do at parties to a full addiction. Alcoholism or alcohol use disorder affects a huge number of people, 15.1 million people 18 years or older as of 2015. As something that affects a large number of the population the desire to understand it is logical.
However, could alcoholism be inherited from your parents, as early as 300 B.C. people were saying yes. The idea that alcoholism runs in the family is actually rather old, "Aristotle, declared that drunken women ' bring forth children like themselves'". This is not very scientific and clearly antiquated terminology however the idea is still there. It wasn't until the 19th century that the first studies of alcoholism among relatives began to be conducted. The results of these studies suggest that regardless of country of origin alcoholism is higher among individuals with alcoholism in the family.
With the advancements in molecular biology, their are now ways to begin to test the actual genetic components that make up alcoholism. In a study by Earnest Noble called Genetic Studies in Alcoholism 70 brain samples; 35 from alcoholics and 35 from non alcoholics were taken and "putative alcoholism gene probes" were hybridized with the digested DNAs to determine polymorphism. The only probe that showed significant polymorphism associated with alcoholism was D₂DR gene.
Of the many genes that are thought to be associated with alcoholism D₂DR is forerunner in that it is involved in the dopaminergic system, which functions as a reward system within the brain. There are many other genes and biological systems that are thought to be connected to alcoholism such as certain neurotransmitter genes. Even if D₂DR is discovered to have a definite role in alcoholism it will likely never be called the " alcoholism gene" simply because there are other genes and biological factors that have an effect on D₂DR's function.
It seems like an old song at this point but the advancements in molecular biology and better techniques have allowed a deeper understanding of things that previously, were next to impossible to understand. Matters of the mind are always going to be difficult to unravel but there is hope that with new sequencing techniques things like addiction and mental illness can at least begin to be understood at a deeper level.
1. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics. Accessed Oct. 12, 2017.
2. Genetic-Studies in Alcoholism - Cns Functioning and Molecular-Biology." Psychiatric Annals, vol. 21, no. 4, n.d., pp. 215-
However, could alcoholism be inherited from your parents, as early as 300 B.C. people were saying yes. The idea that alcoholism runs in the family is actually rather old, "Aristotle, declared that drunken women ' bring forth children like themselves'". This is not very scientific and clearly antiquated terminology however the idea is still there. It wasn't until the 19th century that the first studies of alcoholism among relatives began to be conducted. The results of these studies suggest that regardless of country of origin alcoholism is higher among individuals with alcoholism in the family.
With the advancements in molecular biology, their are now ways to begin to test the actual genetic components that make up alcoholism. In a study by Earnest Noble called Genetic Studies in Alcoholism 70 brain samples; 35 from alcoholics and 35 from non alcoholics were taken and "putative alcoholism gene probes" were hybridized with the digested DNAs to determine polymorphism. The only probe that showed significant polymorphism associated with alcoholism was D₂DR gene.
Of the many genes that are thought to be associated with alcoholism D₂DR is forerunner in that it is involved in the dopaminergic system, which functions as a reward system within the brain. There are many other genes and biological systems that are thought to be connected to alcoholism such as certain neurotransmitter genes. Even if D₂DR is discovered to have a definite role in alcoholism it will likely never be called the " alcoholism gene" simply because there are other genes and biological factors that have an effect on D₂DR's function.
It seems like an old song at this point but the advancements in molecular biology and better techniques have allowed a deeper understanding of things that previously, were next to impossible to understand. Matters of the mind are always going to be difficult to unravel but there is hope that with new sequencing techniques things like addiction and mental illness can at least begin to be understood at a deeper level.
1. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics. Accessed Oct. 12, 2017.
2. Genetic-Studies in Alcoholism - Cns Functioning and Molecular-Biology." Psychiatric Annals, vol. 21, no. 4, n.d., pp. 215-
I never considered genetics playing a part in an individuals likeliness to partake in alcohol consumption. I always assumed that alcoholism was a result of choice. I found this post to be quite interesting. I wonder how the individuals conducting the research behind this theory would explain young adults/adults who do not partake in alcohol consumption but have parents who are alcoholics.
ReplyDeleteI had heard that alcoholism played apart in your genetics. I've heard of children ending up alcoholics like their parents, but I never really had read the science about it. I had the same question pop into my head as Samson's. What about the children that have alcoholic parents, but don't turn out like them? Do they just have the mindset that they won't be like their parents or is it something else?
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Like the others that have posted, I never considered the idea that one could be genetically predisposed to becoming an alcoholic. I guess it makes sense because there is research on a similar note about genetic predisposition to having an addictive personality generally. In the end, the interplay between genetics and our environment (parental influence, friends, etc.) that shape our choices and who we become is so complex. It is neat to see continued research bringing new information to light about these topics. The more knowledge we can gain, the better we, as a society, can face the growing challenges in the world.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to hop on the bandwagon here by saying great post! Molecular biology is so important to psychologists because they help us answer the age old question of nature vs. nurture! I like how you discussed the history of family/ heredity studies of alcoholism. I don't usually think about them, but early studies were quite informative too! I'd love to read more like this if you wanted to post them!
ReplyDeleteI am considering doing a follow up post on this next week just because it is particularly interesting. As for question pertaining to children of alcoholics who do not partake in consumption themselves from what I have seen and understand about the topic the genes that are thought to be linked to alcoholism are present in their children however, this can mean many things. It could mean the child, if they did begin to consume alcohol, would be more easily inclined to binge drink and head down the path of alcoholism easier than a child who did not have alcoholic parents.
ReplyDeleteBasically it boils down to if you are a child of alcoholic parents it does not mean you will become an alcoholic however, it may mean that you are biologically more inclined to drink heavily if you do begin to drink. These genes seem to have a very strong connection to environmental factors as well so the "nurture" aspect of biology is likely to play a major role.
This is just from my understanding of the subject as it is now however, so I may look into it more for next week. Glad everyone seems to like the post :)