Ab. Kampov-polevoy et al., Sweet liking and family history of alcoholism in hospitalized alcoholic and non-alcoholic patients, ALC ALCOHOL, 36(2), 2001, pp. 165-170
The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that preference for s
tronger sweet solutions may be associated with the genetic risk for alcohol
ism. Thirty-two male patients with alcohol dependence admitted for alcoholi
sm in-patient treatment and 25 non-alcoholic control subjects were used in
the study. Hedonic response to sweets was evaluated using the sweet prefere
nce test. Family history of alcoholism was evaluated using a Russian versio
n of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test modified for the assessment of
the alcohol-related behaviour of the subject's biological father. Similar t
o our previous Endings. alcoholics were far more likely to prefer the highe
st offered sucrose concentration (0.83 M). compared to non-alcoholic contro
ls. Such preference was determined by two factors: positive family history
of alcoholism and alcoholic status. Statistically. these factors contribute
d to the likelihood of preferring sweet solutions independently. Therefore.
the effects of three factors may enhance each other. These Endings support
the hypothesis that preference for a stronger sweet solution is associated
with a paternal history of alcohol dependence and may reflect a generic pr
edisposition to alcoholism.