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Media Relations

Neuropeptide Y System Linked To More Severe Form Of Alcohol Dependence

Science Daily
Sept. 29, 2008

Two receptor genes in particular, NPY2R and NPY5R, were found to be associated with a more severe subtype of AD - characterized by withdrawal symptoms or coexisting alcohol and cocaine dependence - and cocaine dependence. "Very little is known about the association of the NPY system and alcohol dependence and withdrawal in humans," said Tatiana M. Foroud, director of the division of hereditary genomics at the Indiana University School of Medicine and senior author of the study. "The majority of information comes from studies done on rats and mice, research which suggests that animals that prefer alcohol are genetically different in their expression of NPY in the brain."

Read the entire story here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080923164533.htm

Learn more about the IU School of Medicine here: http://medicine.iu.edu/

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