Scientists are working in different areas to find the sources of the problem of excessive alcohol consumption experienced by a large mass of people. In addition to examining the effect of people’s psychological status on alcohol consumption, the effect of the genetic heritage that people take over on excessive alcohol consumption is also investigated. Scientists from Yale University in the USA have conducted a new study on the effect of genes on alcohol consumption. In the study, the genome of more than 435,000 people was analyzed. In the study, the researchers compared the genomes of people who had clinical alcohol use disorder. In the analysis, 19 genetic risk factors not previously associated with problematic alcohol use were identified. In addition to the new genetic risk factor associated with alcohol use, 10 previously identified genetic risk factors were confirmed during the study. Commenting on the study, Joel Gelernter from Yale University said that the new data they obtained tripled the number of genetic risk loci known to be associated with excessive alcohol consumption. (Locus refers to the location of a gene, an allele of the gene, or a DNA sequence on the chromosome in genetics.) Scientists who conducted the study explained that, thanks to their studies, the genetic relationship between excessive alcohol consumption and disorders such as depression and anxiety will be examined. Hang Zhou, one of the researchers who participated in the study, said his studies offer new ways to understand the causal relationship between alcohol use characteristics and problems such as psychiatric conditions, risk-taking behaviors, and cognitive performance. Joel Gelernter, one of the researchers, said that their work provides an important advantage to assess the risk of alcohol problems at an individual level. “With these results, we are in a better position to assess the risk of individual problematic alcohol use,” said Gelernter.
