U.S. government researchers say they have identified new genes that may contribute to excessive alcohol consumption.
Researchers supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism say their study -- conducted with strains of animals that have either a high or low innate preference for alcohol -- provides clues about the molecular mechanisms that underlie the tendency to drink heavily.
"These findings provide a wealth of new insights into the molecular determinants of excessive drinking, which could lead to a better understanding of alcoholism," notes NIAAA Director Dr. Ting-Kai Li.
A full report of the findings appears in the April 18 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International
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