title: Molecular markers for linkage of genetic loci contributing to alcoholism.
abstract: Specific locus and random locus linkage approaches to identify markers for genes whose allelic variants predispose to alcoholism or for genes controlling relevant physiological and behavioral phenotypes are discussed. Sib-pair analysis is superior for the direct analysis of complex genetic traits such as alcoholism, but classic family analysis will be useful for transmission and linkage analysis for marker traits whose genetics is less complex. In mice, a large number of inbred strains, recombinant inbred and congenic strains, and specifically selected outbred strains are available. In the human, an intriguing linkage result has emerged between a brain protein variant and alcoholism accompanied by suicide. In the mouse, preliminary linkages have been established to loci controlling ethanol preference and also activation after ethanol. Large panels of random DNA and protein genetic probes and of probes for specific loci will in the future increase the probability of establishing linkage in both species.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D004247:DNA