BIOCHEMICAL, MARKERS OF ALCOHOL-USE AND ABUSE - EXPERIENCES FROM THE PILOT-STUDY OF THE WHO ISBRA COLLABORATIVE PROJECT ON STATE AND TRAIT MARKERS OF ALCOHOL/

The development of reliable diagnostic tools for assessing alcoholism and harmful alcohol consumption is an utmost necessity for the success of efforts to prevent and treat alcohol-induced damage to both indivi duals and to society. A multinational study is underway to aid in the development of biological screening tools (state markers) which can, w ith good sensitivity and specificity, identify problem drinkers. To at tain this goal information needs to be available on an individual's dr inking history and habits and related factors. A detailed instrument h as been developed to obtain this information. The second goal of the s tudy was to begin to develop diagnostic 'trait markers' which provide biological information on genetically determined predisposing and prot ective factors in the development of alcoholism. The developed questio nnaire also provides background information on subject characteristics necessary for the development of trait markers. Centres will assay th e obtained biological samples for 'traditional' and newly identified s tate markers of excessive alcohol consumption. These will include meth anol measurements, gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransfera se, carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, serotonin metabolite ratios, a nd erythrocyte aldehyde dehydrogenase. DNA obtained from the lymphocyt es of subjects will be assayed for polymorphisms of alcohol- and aldeh yde-metabolizing enzymes and dopamine receptor polymorphisms which can provide insights into protective and predisposing factors in alcoholi sm. The platelet enzymes, monoamine oxidase and adenylyl cyclase, will be assayed to assess the relationships between these putative trait m arkers and the genetic and environmental factors contributing to the a etiology of alcoholism. The current report is meant to introduce the s tudy design and present a portion of the preliminary data gathered in the process of establishing this research programme.