Physiological responses in sons of alcoholics

Author(s): Justus, A.

Journal/Book: Alcohol Health Res World. 1997; 21: 6000 Executive Blvd, Rockville, MD 20892-7003. Natl Inst Alcohol Abuse Alcoholism. 227-231.

Abstract: Researchers have differentiated sons of alcoholics (SOA's) from sons of nonalcoholics (non-SOA's) on various measures of physiological activity that appear to be related to the SOA's increased vulnerability to developing alcohol problems. This article summarizes major findings in the literature and discusses the implications of risk-related physiological characteristics for the future development of alcohol problems. SOAPS tend to show signs of physiological activity associated with anxiety states, such as increased heart rate in response to stressful stimuli. Studies also demonstrate that SOA's differ greatly from non-SOA's in their response to alcohol. Drinking alcohol dramatically reduces SOAs' reactivity to both stressful and nonstressful stimuli. Additionally, SOA's appear to be less sensitive to alcohol's intoxicating and impairing effects. However, studies also suggest that some SOARS may experience move of alcohol's rewarding effects for a brief period after drinking. Increased stress-dampening and reduced responsiveness to alcohol's negative effects also appear to predict the development of future alcohol problems and may reflect important vulnerabilities in SOA's.

Note: Article Finn PR, Indiana Univ, Clin Sci Training Program, Bloomington,IN 47405 USA

Keyword(s): children of alcoholics; son; physiological stress; psychological stress; AOD use susceptibility; risk factors; hereditary factors; electroencephalography; autonomic nervous system; behavioral and mental disorder; HIGH-RISK; MEN; REACTIVITY; ETHANOL; BETA

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