Proposed alcoholism gene fails again.Last year, researchers reported that a specific dopamine-receptor gene apparently predisposes its bearers BEARERS, Eng. crim. law. Such as bear down or oppress others; maintainers. In Ruffhead's Statutes it is employed to translate the French word emparnours, which signifies, according to Kelham, undertakers of suits. 4 Ed. III. c. 11. This word is no longer used in this sense. to alcoholism. Although two-thirds of the alcoholics in that study carried the gene, an independent team of scientists subsequently found the same gene in only about one-third of both alcoholics and nonalcoholics (SN: 1/12/91, p.29). Now, a third study casts further doubt on the alleged alcoholism gene. Joel Gelernter of the Veterans Administration Medical Center in West Haven West Haven, town (1990 pop. 54,021), New Haven co., S Conn., a suburb across the West River from New Haven; settled 1638, inc. as a separate borough 1873. Although mainly residential, there are diversified manufacturing industries. , Conn., and his colleagues isolated DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. from 44 alcoholics and 68 healthy individuals. A chemical probe revealed, once again, that about one-third of each group possessed the dopamine-receptor gene. Moreover, the analysis showed no surplus of the gene in alcoholics with family histories of alcoholism or in alcoholics with histories of violent and criminal behavior. Before launching the alcoholism study, Gelernter's team had looked in vain for an excess of the same dopamine-receptor gene among people with either schizophrenia or Tourette's syndrome Tou·rette's syndrome or Tou·rette syndrome n. A severe neurological disorder characterized by multiple facial and other body tics, usually beginning in childhood or adolescence and often accompanied by grunts and compulsive utterances, as of -- disorders that may involve irregularities in dopamine dopamine (dōp`əmēn), one of the intermediate substances in the biosynthesis of epinephrine and norepinephrine. See catecholamine. dopamine One of the catecholamines, widely distributed in the central nervous system. transmission. Dopamine normally functions as an important chemical messenger in the brain. |
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