Another well-studied gene variant concerns the gene encoding the ADH1B enzyme. This ADH1B*2 allele, which encodes an enzyme with higher activity, also is highly protective against alcoholism. Detailed molecular studies of this allele have been carried out, and although physiological studies did not detect the same dramatic rise in circulating acetaldehyde as with the ALDH2*2 allele, the ADH1B*2 allele has a similar effect on risk (see the article by Hurley and Edenberg, pp. 339–344).
