GABRA2 Alleles Moderate the Subjective Effects of Alcohol, Which Are Attenuated by Finasteride
June 2005
in “
Neuropsychopharmacology
”
TLDR GABRA2 gene variations impact alcohol response, and hair loss medication finasteride reduces some effects.
This study found that genetic variation in the GABRA2 gene affects the subjective response to alcohol, with individuals homozygous for the A-allele reporting greater effects than those with one or more G-alleles. Finasteride, a medication used to treat hair loss, was found to attenuate some alcohol effects, particularly among A-allele homozygotes. The study suggests that neuroactive steroids mediate a number of the effects of alcohol. The study had limitations, including a small sample size and the lack of a placebo alcohol condition.