2. Genetics of Addiction Chad Killingsworth BIOL1403

3. Alcoholism

4. Scientist have identified the serotonin receptor gene, 5HT1B, to have a significant role in alcohol dependence susceptibility The 1B receptor causes a polymorph effect on the 861G>C creating a much greater number of C alleles in those with genetic predisposition

5. Alcoholism In laymen terms, the polymorphing causes those who are genetically predisposed to process alcohol in the brain in a different way than those without the predisposition. Thus, allowing those who are predisposed to process much greater quantities of alcohol with lessened effects.

6. Polydrug Dependence Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) mutation is associated with drug dependence FAAH is mutated from 385C to 385A through a single nucleotide polymorphism of the conserved proline residue into threonine (P129T)

7. Polydrug Dependence Creates a lessened FAAH protein amount and activity rate of the endocannabinoid and related lipid transmitters In short, the mutation creates an unstable cellular structure that is more apt to accepted and need foreign psycho-active chemicals in order to perform its normal function

8. Type II: Juvenile Onset Male Only 1 st drink or drug age 10-12 Father-to-Son Rapid Onset (less than two years) High Risk Behaviors Skips Generations

9. Type II: Juvenile Onset

11. References Chiang, K. P., Gerber, A. L., Sipe, J. C., & Cravatt, B. F. (2004).Reduced cellular expression and activity of the P129T mutant of human fatty acid amide hydrolase: evidence for a link between defects in the endocannabinoid system and problem drug use. Oxford Journal, 13 (18), Retrieved September 19, 2007, from http://hmg.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/13/18/2113. DenBleyker, Rob (Illustrator). (2006). Cyanide and Happiness, Retrieved April 6, 2007, from http://explosm.net http://explosm.net Hasegawa, Y, Higuchi, S, Matsushita, S, & Miyaoka, H (2002). Association of a polymorphism of the serotonin 1B receptor gene and alcohol dependence with inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase-2. Journal of Neural Transmission, 109 (4), Retrieved September 18, 2007, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Citation &list_uids=11956970. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=PubMed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Citation Norton, Merrill (2005). The hijacking of the brain- the neurobiology and pharmacology of chemical dependence.