Alcohol tolerance gene 'identified'

[theblackalchemist]

Alcohol tolerance gene 'identified'

 

LONDON: Scientists have identified an alcohol tolerance gene, a breakthrough which they claim could eventually help in identifying people who are

more susceptible to alcohol dependence

and abuse later in life.

 

An international team has found that a single sequence, called CHRNA5, on chromosome 15 is associated with the level of alcohol response -- in fact, it is most likely to cause the individual variation in alcohol response.

 

Lead scientist Dr Raymond White of the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center in California said: "The findings confirmed that tolerance, dependence and abuse are influenced by a genetic component. The findings provide further evidence that alcohol low response is a hereditary characteristic."

 

The team has based its findings on an analysis of the link between areas of DNA and three factors that measure the response to alcohol on over 300 students.

 

In an "alcohol challenge", the 18-to-29-year-olds drank a 20% by volume solution of ethanol in an eight -minute period. They then completed a form to indicate how intoxicated they felt at various intervals.

 

The scientists looked at how strongly the subjects were affected by drinking in terms of body sway, co-ordination problems and feeling "high" and pinpointed the stretch of DNA that appeared to determine it, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.

Alcohol tolerance gene 'identified'-Health/Sci-The Times of India