Thome J, Gewirtz J C, Weijers H G, Wiesbeck G A, Henn F A
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.
Pharmacogenomics. 2000 Feb;1(1):63-71. doi: 10.1517/14622416.1.1.63.
Different gene variants have been identified as risk or protective factors in alcoholism. The genes coding for dopamine receptors, serotonin transporters, and dehydrogenases represent susceptibility loci for addictive behaviour. However, alcoholism represents a complex psychiatric symptomatology which is caused by multiple factors, both genetic and environmental. Furthermore, there are probably different subtypes of alcoholism each with a distinct pathophysiology, and thus a different genetic background. Genetic research can help to identify such subtypes, which may require different therapeutic approaches. However, gene polymorphisms are not only responsible for a predisposition to alcoholism, but also for personality traits which influence the likelihood of developing addictive behaviour. Moreover, genetic polymorphisms are probably involved in the way an individual responds to treatment. Also, the severity of secondary diseases resulting from chronic alcohol uptake may depend on the genetic makeup of an individual. New treatment strategies focusing on genes contributing towards drug and alcohol dependence (such as gene therapy) are already under examination in animal models. However, further research is required before these developments will considerably change today's clinical handling of alcoholism.
不同的基因变异已被确定为酒精中毒的风险或保护因素。编码多巴胺受体、5-羟色胺转运体和脱氢酶的基因代表了成瘾行为的易感基因座。然而，酒精中毒是一种复杂的精神症状，由多种因素引起，包括遗传和环境因素。此外，酒精中毒可能存在不同的亚型，每种亚型都有独特的病理生理学，因此也有不同的遗传背景。基因研究有助于识别这些亚型，而这些亚型可能需要不同的治疗方法。然而，基因多态性不仅导致易患酒精中毒，还与影响成瘾行为发生可能性的人格特质有关。此外，基因多态性可能还参与个体对治疗的反应方式。而且，长期饮酒导致的继发性疾病的严重程度可能取决于个体的基因构成。针对导致药物和酒精依赖的基因的新治疗策略（如基因治疗）已在动物模型中进行研究。然而，在这些进展能显著改变当今酒精中毒的临床治疗方式之前，还需要进一步研究。
