The genetic structure of an individual determines all of their human behaviors DNA dictates an individual's physical characteristics, such as their eye and hair color, and their behavioral characteristics, such as aggression (McCance, 2014). One of the behavioral traits that can be passed from parent to child is the predisposition towards alcohol abuse. Addiction is a chronic disease of the brain, which affects the reward and motivation centers of an individual (Itoh et al., 2020). Alcohol addiction is a serious problem in the United States, with about 18 million adults being diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (Zucker, 2008). Based on findings, as some individuals have a predisposition of metabolizing alcohol in such a way that the pleasurable impact of alcohol consumption exceeds its adverse effects. Also, genetic inheritance acts as a factor increasing the risk for alcohol use disorder (Deak et al., 2019). Therefore, genetic inheritance plays a critical role or increases the risks of developing alcohol use disorder in individuals (AUD).
Alcohol Use Disorder
AUD, which is also defined as alcohol abuse, has been associated with variants in some genes. There is a greater likelihood that individuals will struggle with alcohol addiction if they have a close relative with the same problem. When consumed heavily, alcohol has been proven to result in psychological and social challenges while contributing to many diseases. Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to many diseases, which include cirrhosis, cancer of the upper digestive tract and the liver (Salvatore et al., 2017). Alcoholism, also referred to as alcohol dependence, is a maladaptive behavior that involves excessive consumption of alcohol, resulting in serious problems.
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Alcoholism and Genetics
A 2008 study conducted by the NIAAA examined a review of a significant level on the possible connection between certain genes and the AUD. The study's findings established that genetic factors constitute about half of the variance among individuals who struggle with this disorder (Zucker, 2008). Over the years, genes that contribute to alcoholism have been identified, and they are associated with the structure of the reward centers within the brain. However, there is a complexity in how genes are phenotypically expressed. For instance, an individual may have one parent with red hair and one parent with black hair, which means that they possess genes for both hair colors. Despite possessing both genes, there will only be an expression of one hair color. Strong genes differ in this aspect; however, as observed in the gene that is in charge of moving gamma-aminobutyric acid in synapses, between neurons appears to be a string gene linked with greater risks of alcoholism (Itoh et al., 2020). The genetic ability to select for traits that are related to dependence, sensitivity, and preference to alcohol demonstrates a genetic basis for alcoholism and that different genes result in various components of the phenotype.
The increased risk for alcoholism is identified as being severely affected by genes that are passed on from the parents to the offspring. Most robust associations have shown that while these genes are not a direct cause for alcoholism, they increase its risk by affecting both physiological and emotional processes that are associated with alcoholism (Deak et al., 2019). An emphasis has to be made that while genetic distinctions increase the risk of alcoholism, no gene cannot be identified as directly causing alcoholism. Environmental and social components have a heavy impact on the outcome. Genetic factors have an impact on the risk for alcoholism and the level of alcohol consumption, and the risk for alcohol-associated illnesses with the inclusion of cirrhosis and upper GI cancers (Deak et al., 2019). The occurrence of these illnesses can also be associated as resulting from the genes that cause alcohol dependence. While there is the knowledge that genetic factors have an impact on the risk, the specific variants associated with these risks are still being actively researched.
Currently, there is no precise definition of how a genetic sequence can affect the behavioral outcomes of an individual. While several variances in different genes have been linked to alcoholism, no single genetic sequence has been established. Genes that have an impact on the risk of alcohol dependence can be described in a variety of ways. One of these ways is through the possession of a smaller amygdala (Salvatore et al., 2017). Individuals whose families have a history of alcohol use disorder have been identified as possessing an amygdala that is smaller than the average amygdala possessed by other individuals. This is the section of the brain that has an impact or directs emotions associated with cravings. Another way through which genes can be expressed is through the possession of a variety of warning signals (Zucker, 2008). An individual that possesses a genetic predisposition to alcoholism may have a smaller number of warning signals sent from their brain or bodies on whether they should stop consuming alcohol. This lack of sufficient warning results in excessive consumption of alcohol by the individuals who possess genetic predisposition to alcoholism. Abnormal serotonin levels ways are another expression of genes and their influence on alcohol use disorder (Itoh et al., 2020). Serotonin is an essential neurotransmitter whose main goal is to regulate mood and is strongly associated with the occurrence of depression. Unbalanced levels of serotonin have also been associated with individuals who are genetically predisposed to alcoholism and dependence on alcohol.
There is a likelihood that most complex diseases, alcohol dependence, and alcohol use disorders result from hundreds of genes that interact with a variety of social environments (McCance et al., 2014). Some of the genes identified involve two genes of alcohol metabolism. These genes are ADH1B and ALDH2, which have the greatest known effect on the risk of developing AUD (Itoh et al., 2020). There is a wide range of other genes that have been identified as increasing the risk of developing a dependence on alcohol along with critical end phenotypes. These genes were identified to result from family-based assessments. Through the participation of families with multiple members with alcohol dependence, the studies were able to use linkage analysis to establish specific genetic markers. These families were chosen as they are more likely to segregate variants that have an impact on the risk of alcohol dependence. Linkage analysis mainly involved measuring markers throughout the genome for the identification of chromosomal regions that appeared to segregate the disease.
Conclusion
AUD is a common and complex genetic complication that has a wide number of variants in many genes contributing to the risk. This disease affects millions of Americans and is identified as being passed from parent to child. Most of the genes that increase the risk of alcoholism are associated with the emotional center of the brain, which regulates cravings. This means that through the genes that individuals inherit from their relatives, their consumption of alcohol is highly affected by how they perceive alcohol use along with other physiological conditions. However, while a genetic base can be established for alcoholism, it is essential to establish that the risk for alcoholism is also decided by other factors such as the environment and the social conditions that an individual exists in. Further research is needed for the discovery of additional genes that have an impact on the risk of alcohol use disorder.
References
Deak, J. D., Miller, A. P., & Gizer, I. R. (2019). Genetics of alcohol use disorder: a review. Current Opinion in Psychology , 27 , 56-61.
Itoh, M., Yonemoto, T., Ueno, F., Iwahara, C., Yumoto, Y., Nakayama, H., ... & Matsushita, S. (2020). Influence of comorbid psychiatric disorders on the risk of development of alcohol dependence by genetic variations of ALDH2 and ADH1B. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research , 44 (11), 2275-2282.
McCance, K. L., & Huether, S. E. (2014). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children . Elsevier Health Sciences.
Salvatore, J. E., Cho, S. B., & Dick, D. M. (2017). Genes, environments, and sex differences in alcohol research. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs , 78 (4), 494-501.
Zucker, R. A. (2008). Anticipating problem alcohol use developmentally from childhood into middle adulthood: what have we learned? Addiction , 103 (1) , 100-108.
