October 20, 2010 | Louis

Alcohol often seems to go straight to my head. A study out today suggests this could be down to a ‘tipsy gene’ which could protect against alcoholism.

Researchers in the US gave alcohol to 200 students (who else?!) and then ran a genetic test. They found that the students who got drunk quickest all had a gene called CYP2E1. Between 10 and 20% of people could have this gene.

If future drugs could be modelled on the ‘tipsy gene’ they might help to curb alcoholism.