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- New Data Revealed Regarding Criteria for Alcohol Use Disorders
New research finds that “the relative severity of the 11 DSM-IV alcohol use disorder (AUD) criteria are represented by their severity threshold scores, an item response theory (IRT) model parameter inversely proportional to their prevalence. These scores can be used to create a continuous severity measure comprising the total number of criteria endorsed, each weighted by its relative severity.” The study, titled “A multidimensional assessment of the validity and utility of alcohol use disorder severity as determined by item response theory models,” is published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
- Genes May Influence Alcoholism in Spanish American Males
Cytokines are small proteins secreted by cells that serve as molecular messengers between cells. Pro-inflammatory cytokines—which function in the immune system—may be involved in alcohol dependence (AD). Science Daily reports that a study of three polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 gene complex (IL-1) and one of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) has found that IL-1 may directly contribute to AD among Spanish Caucasian males.
