Researchers from the University of North Carolina discovered a gene called
CYP2E. It may protect against alcoholism and a person’s response to alcohol. This means that a person who drinks two drinks could feel nothing but a person who drinks the same two drinks can become inebriated many have a reason for it. CYP2E shows a possible map of how people perceive alcohol, and further, how alcohol affects the brain. It also helps to encode a secondary enzyme that can metabolize alcohol within the brain rather than in the liver. Researcher assembled hundreds of pairs of siblings with at least one parent who was an alcoholic. They were given a drink and asked to tell researcher is they feel drunk, don’t feel drunk, feel tired, or don’t feel tired.
This could propose drugs that induce CYP2E to make people more or less sensitive to alcohol. Researchers are currently focusing on this gene to understand alcoholism more. Further information on the CYP2E gene could lead to ways that could change people’s lives that have a susceptibility for alcoholism.
This caught my eye and is very interesting. Is this found in a lot of people, and by researching this more, I feel like its really interesting and would really help the problem of alcoholism.
ReplyDeleteAlcoholism is a very big problem in our society today. Once again, I am amazed to see how most of the everyday problems and ailments that humans suffer from come from very specific genetic markers. Hopefully in the future, this and other genetic markers can be identified to better treat or even prevent them from occurring.
ReplyDeleteI knew of someone in high school whose father had trouble with alcoholism. Because it was known to be a genetically influenced, he decided against drinking in fear he would have the same problem. I'm happy to see that the actual gene is being discovered, and hopefully this will help everyone who has ever had trouble with alcoholism.
ReplyDeleteMany people struggle with alcoholism. To know there is a gene discovered involved in alcoholism is a big step in combating alcoholism. A drug would be a big help to anyone who is susceptible to alcoholism to know they can have a drink without the fear of becoming an alcoholic.
ReplyDeleteThe CYP2E gene is exactly the evidence that researchers need to show that alcoholism is extremely related to genetic background. Being tested for this gene can give people the knowledge required to prevent alcoholism before it even begins. And, while there are more important issues to focus on in the field of genetics, a drug to help limit an individual's susceptibility to alcohol could save AA a significant amount of trouble...
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