
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 20, 1994                   TAG: 9401200050
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CHICAGO                                LENGTH: Short

GENE PREDISPOSES ALCOHOLICS TO SUICIDE

Scientists have discovered a gene that may be relatively common in the general population that appears to predispose alcoholics to suicide, a team of American and Finnish researchers reported.

The genetic mutation, which is linked to an imbalance in brain chemistry, may help explain why alcohol causes some people to become self-destructive or violent toward others.

The findings may make it possible to develop new ways to identify people at risk for self-destructive behavior and to develop techniques - drugs, behavior modification and diet - to prevent it, said Dr. David Goldman of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

- Chicago Tribune

by CNB