Sweet liking and family history of alcoholism in hospitalized alcoholic and non-alcoholic patients

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.