Alcoholism as a complex trait: Comparison of genetic models and role of epidemiological risk factors

Agenetic component for alcoholism appears likely, but the genes involved ha ve yet to be identified. The mode of inheritance is probably more complex t han for traditional mendelian disorders. In particular, there are marked di fferences in alcoholism by gender, parent-of-origin effects, ethnicity, and other epidemiological factors. We investigated the evidence for the presen ce of susceptibility genes for alcohol dependence in the Collaborative Stud y on the Genetics of Alcoholism data set. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.