which leads to the avoidance of alcohol consumption. This is the rationale for the use of the ALDH inhibitor disulfiram in the treatment of AD (Edenberg 2007; Petersen 1992; Suh, Pettinati, Kampman et al. 2006). A naturally occurring reduction in ALDH2 activity due to a functional mutation (Glu504Lys, rs671) in this gene, which is highly prevalent in Asians, protects a substantial proportion of this population from AD (Ball 2008; Eng, Luczak & Wall 2007; Enomoto, Takase, Yasuhara et al. 1991). Similar protective mechanisms have been suggested for variations in the ADH genes (Edenberg 2007; Li, Zhao & Gelernter 2011; Macgregor, Lind, Bucholz et al. 2008; Osier, Pakstis, Soodyall et al. 2002).
