Genes responsible for alcohol use disorder

People’s genetics play an “integral” role in the transition from moderate drinking to problem drinking, scientists have found.

Genetics could play a vital role in the transition from moderate drinking to alcohol misuse

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 17 million adults in the US over the age of 18 had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), and 7% frequently find one or two drinks develops into problem drinking or AUD.

Now, scientists publishing in the journal Molecular Psychiatry have discovered a small piece of genetic material called microRNA is central to those who go from moderate drinking to alcohol misuse.

“Our results suggest BDNF protects against the transition from moderate to uncontrolled drinking and alcohol use disorders,” said Dorit Ron, endowed chair of cell biology of addiction in neurology at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF), as reported by Medical News Today.

“When there is a breakdown in this protective pathway, however, uncontrolled excessive drinking develops, and microRNAs are a possible mechanism in this breakdown.”

She continues to explain that this mechanism could be behind “why 10% of the population develop alcohol use disorders”.

“In searching for potential therapies for alcohol abuse it is important that we look for future medications that target drinking without affecting the reward system in general,” Ron added.

“One problem with current alcohol abuse medications is that patients tend to stop taking them because they interfere with the sense of pleasure.”

Recently, scientists also claimed genes may determine alcohol preferences.