title: Genetic aspects of alcoholism.
abstract: The importance of genetic factors in alcoholism is supported by family, twin, and adoption studies. The four-fold increased risk for this disorder in adopted-away sons of alcoholics supports the need for studies attempting to identify biologic and genetic factors that influence the future risk for alcoholism. Some methodological issues inherent in the search for markers of a predisposition toward alcoholism are reviewed and the results of studies of children of alcoholics are presented. Two potentially important findings include the decreased intensity of reaction to alcohol challenges in these high-risk young men, and the possibility that they demonstrate small amplitudes of the P300 brain wave. Some clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol