The hormone cortisol was measured in both family history-positive (FHP) and family history-negative (FHN) subjects before consuming alcohol (i.e ., at baseline [BA]) and at points during the 3 hours after receiving 1.1mL/kg of alcohol (equal to four or five drinks). As shown here, FHP subjects experienced a lesser change in cortisol levels than did FHN subjects, demonstrating the FHPs' lower levels of response to alcohol.

Source: Schuckit, M.A. A long-term study of sons of alcoholics. Alcohol Health & Research World 19(3):172–175, 1995.

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Prepared: February 2001