This Article  • Full text  • PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on ISI (30)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Related article  • Similar articles in JAMA  Topic Collections  • Substance Abuse/ Alcoholism  • Genetic Disorders  • Alert me on articles by topic

Marc A. Schuckit, MD

JAMA. 1999;281:1875-1876.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

INTRODUCTION

This article reviews recent research on the importance of genetic influences on alcohol abuse and dependence. The ultimate goal of those studies was to identify genetically influenced characteristics, or phenotypes, that affect alcoholism risk. This might then facilitate the search for social and environmental influences that are more directly useful in prevention and treatment.

The contribution of genetic influences in alcoholism is supported by the 3- to 4-fold higher prevalence of this disorder in first-degree relatives of alcoholics, a rate that increases another 2-fold in identical twins of alcoholics.^1-4 Adoption-type studies reveal that the increased risk remains strong for children of alcoholics adopted and raised by nonalcoholics.^5-6

The genetic influences appear to be, in large part, separate from a generic predisposition toward dependence on other drugs.^7-9 These influences might involve multiple genes or incomplete expression of several major genes, along with environmental influences.¹⁰ This complexity produces . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Alcohol Metabolizing Enzymes

The Level of Response to Alcohol

Additional Phenotypes of Interest

Implications for Treatment

Author Affiliations: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, and the Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program, San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Diego, Calif.

RELATED ARTICLE

May 26, 1999
JAMA. 1999;281(20):1959-1960.
EXTRACT | FULL TEXT  

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Parental Problem-drinking and Adult Children's Labor Market Outcomes
Balsa
J. Human Resources 2008;XLIII:454-486.
ABSTRACT  

The ADH1C Polymorphism Modifies the Risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Associated with Alcohol and Tobacco Use
Peters et al.
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 2005;14:476-482.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Alcohol abuse and dependence: Psychopathology, medical management and dental implications
FRIEDLANDER et al.
Journal of the American Dental Association 2003;134:731-740.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

NEUROCHEMICAL MARKERS OF ALCOHOLISM VULNERABILITY IN HUMANS
Ratsma et al.
Alcohol Alcohol 2002;37:522-533.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Functional Neuropeptide Y Leu7Pro Polymorphism Associated With Alcohol Dependence in a Large Population Sample From the United States
Lappalainen et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002;59:825-831.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Alcoholic Parents, and Later Risk of Alcoholism and Depression
Anda et al.
Psychiatr. Serv. 2002;53:1001-1009.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Age of Drinking Onset and Unintentional Injury Involvement After Drinking
Hingson et al.
JAMA 2000;284:1527-1533.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT