Alcoholism and genetics: possible biological mediators.

This paper attempts to make a limited number of points: First, there are enough data indicating a probable genetic propensity in alcoholism to justify prospective studies. Second, such studies are a logical way to attempt to differentiate between factors which predispose an individual towards alcoholism and those biological and psychological changes which result from many years of heavy drinking. Third, this type of approach can be used in biological, psychological, or sociological spheres. Because this type of research is relatively expensive and time-consuming, we have attempted to gather information on as many relevant factors as possible, making our final decision about which specific factors are to be tested through a balance of how much sense they make, how easy they are to test, and how well they combine into a test battery. Our present study will not answer questions definitively but will help point us towards those investigations in the future which are most likely to pay off. Other investigators are encouraged to use a similar approach.