Possible genetic predisposition for alcohol addiction.

In a group of male addictive alcoholics, some palmar and fingerprint characteristics were determined, as well as the ABO, MN, Ss, Kell, Duffy, Lewis, and P blood groups, Rh and Hp phenotypes, HLA and Au antigens, immunoglobulins, blood sugar, cholesterol, SGOT, SGPT, and karyotypes. In comparison with the normal population the alcoholics show increased occurrence of whorls and arches on the fingers, decrease in the total ridge count, sharpening of the atd angle, and separation of the lower from the upper transverse line. Genetic markers in the blood of alcoholics show different frequencies of A, Lewis a-b+, Lewis a-b-, Duffy a-, Duffy a+, SS, and M blood groups, CcD-ee, Hpl-1, Hp2-1 phenotypes, and HLA-5, HLA-7, w10, w16, and w5 antigens. These findings may be expected to lead soon to detection of the predisposition to the development of alcohol addiction caused by some genetic malformations.