title: Genetics and alcoholism.
abstract: This review summarizes the evidence which supports the hypothesis that alcoholism is an inherited disease. (1) Genealogical studies showed that alcoholism is a family condition. (2) Studies of adopted children of alcoholic parents raised by foster parents demonstrated that family aggregation is of genetic nature. (3) Twin studies showed differences between identical and non-identical twins. (4) Alcoholism is associated with the following genetic markers: color vision, non-secretor ABH, HLA B13, and low platelet MAO. Markers may help lead to genetic primary prevention of alcoholism. (5) Biochemical studies showed the importance of alcohol dehydrogenase polymorphism in racial susceptibility to alcoholism. Three different general genetic models for alcoholism are described: (a) polygenic, (b) genetical heterogeneity, and (c) pharmacogenetic.
mesh_terms: D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase; D000429:Alcohol Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D000431:Ethanol; D000429:Alcohol Oxidoreductases; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase