Addiction Education Blog – www.cnsproductions.com

This year’s Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine was awarded to three scientists for discovering principles that allow the modification of a mouse’s genes by the use of embryonic stem cells. This is a reminder of the importance of mice in addiction research. “Knockout mice” were created in the 1980’s; these mice were missing one or more specific genes responsible for various diseases, which enabled scientists to develop research techniques and treatment protocols for human diseases. This is possible because 95% of a mouse’s genetics match that of human beings. To date, more than 500 mouse models of human ailments, including those affecting diabetes, cancer, and cystic fibrosis, along with diseases affecting the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, have been developed.

Knockout mice were available before the 80’s, but they were bred by accident. In the late 60s early 70s, Gerald Mclearen of the University of Colorado successfully isolated a strain of mice that hated alcohol and another that loved alcohol. Researchers used these mice to study the effects of stress, nutrition, and the use of alcohol on the development of alcoholism.

Experiments showed that mice genetically bred to prefer alcohol over water would drink alcohol to excess. Even 150-proof alcohol was preferred to water. The mice would drink until they killed themselves. Other experiments subjected genetically sober, alcohol hating mice to stress which mimicked human environments where violence, abuse, fear, and stress are common. The genetically sober mice came to prefer alcohol after days of this stress, probably because it relieved their anxiety and pain. These once sober mice consumed more and more alcohol and many died.

When researchers subtracted key essential amino acid and several types of B vitamins from the diet of another group of mice, those mice came to prefer alcohol to water. Finally, they force fed alcohol to sober mice who then continued to drink on their own and became alcoholic. Due to various combinations of heredity, environment, and psychoactive drugs, all the mice studied became alcoholics. When their brains were examined, the changes wrought by stress, nutrition, heredity, and by force-feeding alcohol were extremely similar.

These experiments, along with the knowledge that genetic manipulation can alter one’s susceptibility to alcohol abuse, led researchers Ernest Nobel at the University of California in Los Angeles and Kenny Blum at the University of Texas, San Antonio, to discover a gene (DRD2A1 allelle) that is more prevalent in alcoholics than in the general public (75% vs. less than 25%).

For more information on the Nobel Prize winners and a more extensive discussion of their discovery go to the official Nobel Prize site at http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2007/press.html

Thoughts on the Marion Jones admission of performance-enhancing drug use.

From the Nixon-Watergate resignation, to the Clinton-Lewinsky censure, to the Scooter Libby-CIA conviction, what often trips those who skirt the law is the cover-up rather than the actual act. When Marion Jones pled guilty to using steroids to improve her athletic performance at the 2000 Olympics, the charge was “lying to federal investigators” not the illegal use of the drugs. On the courthouse steps, Marion Jones said tearfully, “I want you to know that I have been dishonest and you have the right to be angry with me. I have let my country down and I have let myself down.” Jones admitted to using tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), a synthetic anabolic steroid. She said she believed her coach Trevor Graham had given her flax seed oil.

THG, also known as “the clear,” was developed by BALCO, a San Francisco bay area laboratory that is at the heart of a doping scandal that has tarnished the reputations of a number of high-profile athletes, the most notable being Barry Bonds who broke Hank Aaron’s home run record this year. Jones testified in 2003 before a San Francisco grand jury regarding BALCO and spent the next few years defending her reputation, insisting she never used performance-enhancing drugs. Victor Conte, the founder of BALCO, testified that Marion Jones had used the drug. She, in turn, sued him for defamation of character, which resulted in an out-of-court sealed settlement.

THG is closely related to gestinone and trenbolone, anabolic steroids which were banned years ago. THG was not banned until 2003 so the question is, “Did those who used THG before 2003 do something illegal?” It probably depends on the wording of the appropriate statutes from the IOC (International Olympic committee), the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), and professional sports organizations.

Jones will probably be stripped of the gold medals she won at the 2000 Sydney, Australia Olympic Games in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and the 4×400-meter relay, and the bronze metals she won in the long jump and the 4×100 meter relay.

Jones was caught almost by chance and the question is, as with most other athletes accused of cheating, “Would they have ever confessed if they had not been caught?” To her credit, when she confessed, there was no attempt to mitigate the circumstances.

We have come a long way since Jim Thorpe was stripped of his medals from the 1912 Olympics because his amateur status was in question. (He played 2 years of semi-pro baseball for money . . . the magnificent sum of $2 a game.) Back then, amateur status was interpreted quite strictly. Performance-enhancing drugs, such as mild doses of strychnine or cocaine, were extremely rare. When the use of steroids by the Russian weightlifting team at the 1952 Olympics became known, the use of not only steroids, but amphetamines, EPO (erythropoietin), human growth hormone, and of course THG became commonplace. The various amateur and professional organizations have steadfastly limited the use of performance-enhancing drugs but the money involved in sports, not only in professional sports but also in endorsements after one’s amateur career has ended, has tempted many athletes to chance exposure and expulsion to become a “winner.”

William Cohen