Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Gene to suppress the desire for drinking alcohol?

This study done by the UT Southwestern Medical Center was the largest genome wide association meta analysis and replication study ever done which compares the DNA and genetics as whole of over 105,000 light and heavy drinkers. The researches claim to have found a gene variation in β-Klotho, while doing this study that is linked with the regulation of alcohol consumption. This less common variant was found in 40% of people throughout this study and is linked with decreased desire for alcohol consumption.

This could be a huge breakthrough finding as it can be possible that this study can lead to a mechanism in which we may be able to influence to reduce alcohol intake. This could be especially beneficial for people who are fighting alcoholism and are trying to stop. The study discusses how a lot of other research has been primarily focused on addiction, while this study has discovered something that comes before the addiction, consumption to begin with. More studies are being done on how to influence this gene but some are saying it may be able to be the development of a drug that would stimulate it. This could have incredible health benefits if testing goes well and it is proven safe. As decreasing someone from heavy drinker or alcoholic by simply taking away the desire to drink would help many peoples overall health. This large study could have huge benefits and it will be interesting to follow as more testing is done in the near future.

4 comments:

  1. This is very interesting and I agree can be a very beneficial thing for people who suffer from alcoholism. I also find it very interesting how there is even a correlation with a gene and alcohol consumption. After further research is done, this is something I would definitely like to hear more about.

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  2. Finding that a gene variation is linked with alcoholism is something very surprising. I have had family members who struggled with alcoholism who got Vivitrol shots, which is a brand name of the medication naltrexone that reverses the effects of opioids and doesn't allow you to feel the reward. People use for alcohol dependence management. However, if gene therapy or testing for dependence of alcoholism becomes available, we can stop the problem before it even starts. I hope this can lead to strides in helping people fight addiction or identify they may have a problem with dependence before becoming an alcoholic.

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  3. If this is found to actually reduce the desire for alcohol it would be an amazing breakthrough for the millions of people around the world that suffer from alcoholism and want to stop by physically can't. It would also improve the lives of those who are recovering alcoholics and resist the desire to drink every day. So interesting to see the genes that are still to be discovered.

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  4. Finding a gene related to alcoholism and being able to work from that to possibly help alcoholics is amazing. So many people struggle with addiction to alcohol and if researchers can come up with a way to help them cope or fight against the addiction, then that will be really helpful for people in today's society.

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