Altered Expression of Cytokine Signaling Pathway Genes in Peripheral Blood Cells of Alcohol Dependent Subjects: Preliminary Findings

These results suggest the transition from heavy alcohol use to dependence is accompanied by changes in the expression of genes involved in regulation of the innate immune response. Such changes may underlie some of the previously described changes in immune function associated with chronic alcohol abuse. Early detection of these changes may allow individuals at high risk for dependence to be identified.