Experts at the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia Health System have identified and produced a chromosome map detailing specific genes as the cause of drug, alcohol and cigarette addiction.Genes that have been commonly known to be responsible for alcohol addiction are now found to have a close relation with those causing substance addictions. The genes can be found in clusters on eleven different chromosomes (see right). In mapping these chromosomes, the scientists responsible for the discovery have found that in several cases, genes causing separate addictions do overlap, which allows a person to be susceptible to multiple addictions. Some gene variants causing this trait are already known, such as aldehyde dehydrogenases, GABRA2, ANKK1, and neurexins 1 and 3.
Although these chromosomes have been able to be mapped, scientists say there is much more to learn about these gene variants before they can be fully understood and manipulated. In 1997 in Australia, over 20 000 deaths were caused by some form of drug. Given time, these findings will revolutionize treatment of those suffering from substance abuse, particularly multiple addictions.
The full research paper will be released in Nature Genetics Reviews in April 2009.
References
1. Sally Jones (2009, March 10), Common Genes Tied to Alcohol, Nicotine, Cocaine Addictions, University of Virginia Health System, viewed March 14 2009, http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/news/archives09/common_genes.cfm
2. Australian Government 1997, Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Australia, viewed 15 March 2009, http://www.aihw.gov.au/drugs/population/index.cfm
3. Photo taken from http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/news/archives09/common_genes.cfm
Emma Holding, 42059129
