http://www.physorg.com/ en-us Physorg.com internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. New research from the University of Virginia Health System could help explain why some alcoholics are more severe drinkers than others. A UVA team has found strong evidence that the serotonin transporter gene, SLC6A4, plays a significant role in influencing drinking intensity among alcohol-dependent individuals. http://www.physorg.com/news152975438.html Medicine & Health Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:10:56 EST news152975438 The brain's serotonergic system plays an important role in alcohol preference and consumption. The serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), in particular, may regulate a person's propensity for severe drinking. A study of six different single nucleotide polymorphisms - DNA sequence variations - of SLC6A4 has found that they influence drinking intensity among alcohol-dependent (AD) individuals in treatment. http://www.physorg.com/news146421515.html Medicine & Health Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:38:35 EST news146421515