(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Alcoholics who have a hard time staying on the
wagon might be able to chalk it up to their genes.
Working with colleagues in the U.S., Polish researchers have identified a
genetic mutation they believe puts people at a greater risk for relapse after
treatment for alcohol dependency.
The gene was found in a study involving 123 people taking part in addiction
treatment programs in Poland. All were assessed for severity of alcohol use and
other factors related to alcoholism, such as depression and impulsivity. They
also underwent genetic testing to look at genes related to serotonin and
dopamine, two components in the body known to affect addiction and behavior.
The participants were followed for about a year. Results showed those with a
mutation in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene were more likely
to return to drinking during the follow up period. Found in the brain, BDNF is
responsible for helping nerve cells survive and connect.
The authors believe this suggests addiction programs should be customized for
people depending on their genetic makeup.
"These patients may have special difficulty in responding well to currently
available treatments because of their biological makeup and therefore may need
newly constructed intensive programs of therapy that are preferably
individualized," study author Marci Wojnar, associate professor of psychiatry at
the Medical University of Warsaw and adjunct researcher at the University of
Michigan, was quoted as saying. "This might be a step forward towards
'personalized medicine.'"
SOURCE: Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, published online February
3, 2009
