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November 19, 2004|Volume 33, Number 12|Two-Week Issue



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Study: Family history of alcoholism
lowers brain's 'brake' on heavy drinking

Receptors in the brain that are highly sensitive to alcohol may function differently in a person with a family history of alcoholism, according to a Yale study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

The study included 45 healthy subjects, some with a family history of alcoholism and others with no family history. None of the study participants had a drinking problem. All of the participants were administered a placebo or ketamine, an anesthetic that induces alcohol-like effects. Their behavioral responses were then observed. People with a family history of alcoholism were less sensitive to ketamine.

"This study confirms a hypothesis that people with a family history of alcoholism are more vulnerable to alcoholism because they are less likely to get the 'warning signs' of when to stop drinking," says Dr. Ismene Petrakis, associate professor of psychiatry. "In the right environmental and social context, the loss of a potentially important 'brake' on drinking may promote heavy drinking."

The NMDA glutamate receptors, which were the focus in this study, are the highest affinity ethanol targets in the brain. The purpose of the study was to examine whether healthy individuals with a strong family history of alcoholism exhibit alterations in NMDA receptor function.

The Yale research team will next repeat the study to look for genetic variations in reactions to alcohol.

-- By Jacqueline Weaver


T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Gift of equipment to further research in engineering

Students helping small businesses locally and globally

In Focus: Yale Medical Group

New center to foster joint study of ecology, epidemiology

Death rate rises in urban areas during the time . . .

Conference and exhibit to explore legacy of Napoleon

There's a clash of divas in the Yale Rep's 'The Ladies of the Camellias'

Painter of Chinese themes is named gallery's resident artist

Researchers identify a receptor in tick gut . . .

Scientists find link between early gambling . . .

Grant funds design of program to keep pregnant women off drugs

Study: Family history of alcoholism lowers brain's 'brake' on heavy drinking

Study will test drug's ability to reduce smokers' withdrawal symptoms

Memorial service for Osea Noss

Campus Notes


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