Novel study explores how different types of genetic risk impact the manifestation of alcohol use disorder

Multiple types of genetic influence affect the severity and presentation of alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to what may be the first study examining the joint effects of three types of genetic liability on alcohol outcomes. About half the risk for AUD is known to be genetically inherited. Some genetic influences manifest as struggles with self-regulation, such as childhood conduct problems and risk-taking ("externalizing" behaviors). Other genetic vulnerabilities show up as tendencies toward depression and negative affect ("internalizing" behaviors), while a third group of genetic influences is alcohol-specific (e.g., affecting how alcohol is metabolized).

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