Booze and Brain Damage

There are many factors that can drive an organism to drink. Some might have a genetic predisposition—others might want to poison a parasitic wasp before it consumes them from the inside out. On ERV, new research shows "the epigenetics of the cells in the brains of alcoholics is messed up;" specifically, alcoholic brains express transposable genetic elements (such as endogenous retroviruses) more frequently. Smith writes "the authors think that ERVs are not just a marker of the damage caused by alcoholism, but that the ERVs are actively contributing to the brain damage due to alcoholism." But does the expression of ERVs encourage alcoholism, or vice versa? Meanwhile, on Brookhaven Bits & Bytes, new research shows that dopamine receptor D2 can prevent alcohol-induced brain damage. Justin Eure writes, "mice without those dopamine receptors experienced brain atrophy overall and shrinkage of the cerebral cortex and thalamus. [...] The corresponding regions of the human brain are critical to processing speech, sensory information, and forming long-term memories." Eure continues, "Previous studies indicated that the absence of dopamine D2 receptors also increases the odds of alcohol addiction - meaning that without D2, alcoholism is both more likely and more dangerous."

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Fetal alcohol syndrome---where the developing fetus is exposed to high levels of ethanol in the womb---has far-reaching negative effects on neural development.
First it was cancer, then AIDS, now with the release of a new study showing once again the astonishing prevalence of a serious disease that gets meager attention in this country, one is forced to ask:
Cassio. ...O strange! Every inordinate cup is unblessed and the ingredient is a devil. Iago. Come, come; good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used; exclaim no more against it.
Let me make this clear, for like the millionth time:

This new research showing that dopamine receptor D2 can prevent alcohol-induced brain damage is extremely interesting to me and I'm keen to know more. I work with many people that abuse alcohol and don't fully appreciate the impact on their brains and brain development. Can you share a link to the original research on this? Thanks!