News: Genetic link to addictive and compulsive disorders

[dracodraconis]

German scientists have found a gene that makes it more difficult for men to learn from their mistakes. Men with what is referred to as an A1 mutation have fewer D2 (dopamine) receptors in their brain so are less strongly affected by negative feedback. This mutation is apparently present in more than one-third of the population, but the article does not indicate whether this is a gender-specific problem, only that the experiments were conducted solely using male volunteers. The researchers theorize that this may be why the A1 mutation is linked to addictive and compulsive disorders. Found on Slashdot