Alcohol & DRD2 Gene

• How is dopamine produced?

  > produced in the mesolimbic system of the brain (ventral tegmental area and the nucleus accumbens)

  > alcohol increases dopamine transmission

  > alcohol causes more dopamine to be transmitted from the ventral tegmental area and the nucleus accumbens

  > reinforces alcohol seeking behaviour
• What are D2 Dopamine receptors?

  > linked to pleasure and reward

  > dopamine binds with D2 receptors in brain

  > many D2 dopamine receptors are found in the ventral tegmental area and the nucleus accumbens

  > pleasure-seeking gene
• What is the A1 variant?

  > significantly fewer D2 dopamine receptors, they are unable to feel pleasure and rewards in the same way as someone with more receptors

  > results in a 'reward deficiency'

  > likely to depend on alcohol in order to gain pleasure