ALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASE POLYMORPHISM IN NORTH-AMERICAN, SOUTH-AMERICAN, AND MEXICAN INDIAN POPULATIONS

  • 1 March 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 38  (3) , 395-399
Abstract
While about 40% of the South American Indian populations (Atacamenos, Mapuche, Shuara) were found to be deficient in aldehyde dehydrogenase isozyme I (ALDH2 or E2), preliminary investigations showed very low incidence of isozyme deficiency among North American natives (Sioux, Navajo) and Mexico Indians (mestizo). Possible implications of such trait differences on cross-cultural behavioral response to alcohol drinking are discussed.