Mayo Clinic has established a landmark research program in the genomics of addiction with the long-term goal of predicting and preventing alcoholism and other chemical dependencies. The first step in the research will be to identify human genes that contribute to someone’s vulnerability to alcoholism. The next step will be to develop ways to use the genetic information to protect someone from becoming addicted. Ultimately, people who are at increased risk of becoming addicted could receive personalized therapy that could change their lives.
Comments
This post currently has no comments. You can read the comments or leave your own thoughts on our new comments page.
Trackbacks
Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 19 Apr 2004
Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.
Grohol, J. (2004). Mayo Clinic establishes landmark research program to predict and prevent alcoholism. Psych Central. Retrieved on February 14, 2012, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2004/04/19/mayo-clinic-establishes-landmark-research-program-to-predict-and-prevent-alcoholism/


Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online, and has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues -- as well as the intersection of technology and human behavior -- since 1992. Dr. Grohol sits on the editorial board of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking and is a founding board member and treasurer of the Society for Participatory Medicine.