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Typologies of Alcohol Dependence. From Jellinek to Genetics and Beyond

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Abstract

The goal of typology research is to identify subtypes of alcohol dependent (AD) patients sharing fundamental characteristics and try to match each subtype, with the most precise treatment strategy. This review provides a comprehensive history of the literature on alcohol dependent subtypes starting from the earliest attempt made by Jellinek. The binary models identified most closely with Cloninger and Babor as well as the successively more complex classifications are discussed. Typology classification potentially useful in guiding the treatment of AD patients, especially in the case of the serotonergic medications. Contrasting data suggests that other factors could influence the response to a medication and/or that more complex typologies should be identified. In summary, typology models may assist in the ascertainment criteria for clinical trials performed in behavioral and pharmacotherapeutic interventions. Greater emphasis, however, must be made to more clearly delineate this field of research, while moving toward more standardized typologies.

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Acknowledgements

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review.

Dr Robert Swift has acted as a consultant to Pfizer, Ortho-McNeill, Organon, Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Forest and Alkermes, has received honoraria from Pfizer and Forest, and has received grants from Pfizer, Ortho-McNeill, Forest and Eli Lilly. The other authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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  1. Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Box G S 121-4, Providence, RI 02912, RI, USA

    Lorenzo Leggio, George A. Kenna & Robert M. Swift

  2. Department of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Miriam Fenton

  3. Veterans Administration Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA

    Robert M. Swift

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA

    George A. Kenna

  5. College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA

    Erica Bonenfant

  6. Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Lorenzo Leggio

Authors
  1. Lorenzo Leggio
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  2. George A. Kenna
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  3. Miriam Fenton
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  4. Erica Bonenfant
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  5. Robert M. Swift
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Correspondence to Lorenzo Leggio.

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Leggio, L., Kenna, G.A., Fenton, M. et al. Typologies of Alcohol Dependence. From Jellinek to Genetics and Beyond. Neuropsychol Rev 19, 115–129 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-008-9080-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-008-9080-z

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