A possible genetic association between PROP-tasting and alcoholism
Physiology & BehaviorPublished 1 June 1992
Marcia L. Pelchat, Sarah Danowski
Citations86
SJR quartileQ2
SJR score0.78
SNIP0.84
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TL;DR
These results are inconsistent with the view that excessive use of alcohol causes the association between nontasting and alcoholism and are consistent with the views that there is a genetic association between PROP/PTC-tasting and Alcoholism.
Abstract
Fifty-five young adult subjects and their parents were classified as alcoholic or nonalcoholic based on a standardized questionnaire (the MAST) filled out by the subjects. Subjects' thresholds for detection of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP; a PTC-like compound) were determined with the experimenter blind to MAST responses. There was a significantly higher proportion of nontasters of PROP among children of alcoholics than among children of nonalcoholics. There was no relationship between the child's alcoholism status and ability to taste PROP. These results are inconsistent with the view that excessive use of alcohol causes the association between nontasting and alcoholism and are consistent with the view that there is a genetic association between PROP/PTC-tasting and alcoholism.
Keywords
NeuroscienceNursing
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