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1st appeared 11 June 1998 Gallo Researcher Studying the Genetics of Alcoholism Dr. Kirk Wilhelmsen is trying to find the genes responsible for alcoholism -- the third-leading cause of death in the US. Wilhelmsen, principal investigator of the Family Alcoholism Study at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center at UCSF and assistant professor in the department of neurology, admits that it is a challenge trying to study something he can barely define. On a clinical level, alcoholism is hard to define. Alcoholism presents differently in different people. "I'm not convinced that all alcoholics have the disease for the same reasons," Wilhelmsen said at a recent Brown Bag Lecture. Alcoholism accounts for 12% of US health care expenditures, Wilhelmsen said, and research suggests that people with an alcoholic sibling have about a 40% chance of becoming an alcoholic. Furthermore, studies of twins show that a sibling given up for adoption will exhibit the alcohol pattern of their biological family rather than their adopted family. "It tells you there's a major genetic component involved," Wilhelmsen said. Unlike the study of some diseases, Wilhelmsen and his team are expecting that the cause of alcoholism will be found in genetic variations common throughout the human population, rather than in one mutated gene. "I think it will be several years before we actually identify the genes," he said. The Family Alcoholism Study, which started a year ago, is collecting data from 1,000 sibling pairs and expects to have results in 2-5 years. The study's investigators are seeking participants who are alcoholics or very heavy drinkers (still drinking or in recovery) with family members who would also be willing to participate. The study may get a boost in support if the UCSF Neurology Program on Alcohol Research obtains funding to expand its studies, Wilhelmsen said. Governor Pete Wilson has proposed granting $143 million over the next five years to accelerate the UCSF Neurology Program on Alcohol Research studies into alcoholism -- the first installment of $11.8 million was included in the revised fiscal 1999 budget proposal that Wilson released in May and is pending approval. The UCSF Family Alcoholism Study is still recruiting participants. It is confidential and provides cash reimbursement. Call toll free 888/805-UCSF (8273). By Paula Murphy Links: |
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