The ADH1B gene is responsible for the development of alcoholism

The search for genes responsible for the development of alcoholism, has helped an international team of scientists discover a gene that is “most to blame for the development of alcoholism.” As such, according to the report of the experts, is the ADH1B gene that regulates the body’s process of turning alcohol into acetaldehyde.

The researchers analyzed data from 28 genetic studies of alcoholism carried out in eight countries. In the end, experts have isolated the genomes of nearly 15,000 people suffering from alcohol dependence, and nearly 38,000 people who did not have alcoholism. Their detailed study allowed us to determine the gene most responsible for the development of human attachment to alcohol.

According to scientists, the gene ADH1B determines the speed of passage “by acetaldehyde stage” after drinking alcohol. In the body ethyl alcohol decomposes into water and carbon dioxide, but at an intermediate stage of the process is synthesized toxin acetaldehyde. As a result of his accumulation, you suffer the painful symptoms of alcohol poisoning.

The authors have established that the activity of the gene ADH1B depends on how quickly the alcohol to turn into acetaldehyde and pass this intermediate phase. If everything happens at high speed, the toxin does not have time to accumulate – as a result a person does not arise of pain because of the alcohol, and remain only pleasant memories. Against this background and formed by the alcoholism. In turn, the protracted stage of disposal of acetaldehyde leads to the fact that the human body associates drinking alcohol with side effects as nausea, weakness and problems with pressure.

Earlier Magicforum wrote that for the development of alcoholism may be responsible and the climate in which man lives.