Reach for the sober drug

It is practically a national pastime at this time of year - disgracing yourself at the office Christmas party.

But a 'sober-up drug', which can restore composure after you have had one or two too many, could be just round the corner, scientists said yesterday.

It follows the identification of a single brain protein, called slo-1, that appears to be responsible for how drunk we get.

Targeting this will enable intoxication to be controlled, the scientists believe.

The breakthrough came after a six-year study into a tiny laboratory worm, called caenorhabditis elegans. Mutant worms without the gene which produces slo-1 were able to go on Oliver Reed-style benders without the slightest effect.

Other worms with the gene were left comatose by alcohol.

The way that drink affects the brain is thought to be the same throughout the animal kingdom.

The protein acts like a channel directing electrically charged ions out of nerve cells.

Alcohol opens this channel more often, leading to reduced brain activity and the sluggishess and lack of co-ordination - and judgment - this entails.

Researcher Dr Steven McIntire wrote in the journal Cell: 'We would expect that the same process functions in humans, who also have this type of channel.'

His team from the University of California believes it can produce a drug which will stop this draining of ions and have a rapid sobering effect.

By weakening the taste for alcohol among vulnerable people, it might also help prevent drink addiction.