Excessive consumption of alcohol "is in your genes", according to a new study

Scientists may have discovered why some people are more likely to consume alcohol excessively than others and this has less to do with alcohol than with anything else. relates to genetics.

Spend days or weeks without drinking anything, and catch up in one night by absorbing an intoxicating mix of beer, alcohol and cocktails, it's easy to pass for excessive alcohol consumption for lack of will.

However, scientists now claim that those of us who adopt such habits might actually be genetically predisposed to doing so.

The science behind how alcohol leads the brain to want more is known for some time; it causes the release of dopamine by the neuron called the "reward chemical" of the brain, in a region called ventral tegmental zone (VTA).

But now, researchers at the Epigenetics Alcohol Research Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago have identified a channel in the VTA, called KCNK13, which is blocked by the US. alcohol and, therefore, makes the neurons hyperactive and releases more dopamine.

Scientists have discovered that some people naturally have fewer KCNK13 channels, which means that they have to drink more alcohol to feel the same pleasure, which could result in increased predisposition to excessive drinking. ;alcohol.

The study, published in the journal neuropharmacology, used mice in a range of experiments to test the theory.

In one experiment, scientists genetically reduced the KCNK13 channel in mouse VTAs by 15% compared to normal mice.

Mice deprived of KCNK13 drank 20 to 30% more alcohol than normal mice.

Professor Brodie said, "We believe that mice with less KCNK13 in the VTA drank more alcohol to get the same alcohol reward than normal mice."

He said it was "presumably because alcohol triggered the release of less dopamine in the brain".

However, scientists admit that they "do not know" exactly how much alcohol it would take for a person with reduced KCNK13 expression.

Another test observed the neuronal response to alcohol in the VTA region in mice with less KCNK13 compared to normal mice.

The neurons of genetically modified mice were 50% less sensitive to alcohol than those of normal mice.

So, why is it important for humans?

Research suggests that people may genetically have more or less of this channel in the center of their brain's rewards and that this may predispose a percentage of the population to drink more.

As such, the discovery could prove useful in the treatment of alcoholism.

According to the NHS, British researchers define excessive consumption of alcohol as consuming more than 6 units of alcohol in one sitting, for both men and women.

This equates to two-three standard glasses of 13% wine or the same number of 4% pints of beer.

To reduce the risk to your health from excessive alcohol consumption, the NHS suggests limiting the amount you drink once and for all, drinking more slowly and with food, as well as alternating with alcohol. water or soft drinks.