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Saturday, September 20, 2008

Review. Neurogenetic studies of alcohol addiction
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2008 Oct 12;363(1507):3201-11.


Neurogenetic studies of alcohol dependence have relied substantially on genetic animal models, particularly rodents. Studies of inbred strains, selectively bred lines and mutants bearing genes whose function has been targeted for over or under expression are reviewed.

Studies focused on gene expression changes are the most recent contributors to this literature, and some genetic effects may work through epigenetic mechanisms.

In a few instances, interesting parallels have been revealed between genetic risk in humans and studies in non-human animal models.

Future approaches are likely to be increasingly complex.

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