Alcohol-responsive brain networks have been reported and identified by case–control, population and family-based studies incorporating candidate gene approach with whole-genome methodology in individuals with and without alcoholism (Edenberg, 2012; Edenberg and Foroud, 2006, 2013; Enoch, 2013; Morozova et al., 2014; Yan et al., 2014). Candidate gene strategies have considered neurobiological and neurodevelopmental pathways which are key to brain function by emphasizing emotion and reward pathways as well as biochemical processes associated with the physiologic effects and molecular targets of alcohol itself particularly those impacting alcohol metabolism (Blum et al., 1990; Bolos et al., 1990; Chai et al., 2005; Edenberg et al., 2006, 2008; Enoch, 2013; Feinn et al., 2005; Kapoor et al., 2014; Luo et al., 2005; Macgregor et al., 2009; Radel et al., 2005; Tolstrup et al., 2008; Wetherill et al., 2014; Zhang et al., 2008). Further, genetic biomarkers including chromosome regions have been identified by overlapping genetic linkage and functional data with alcoholism-related phenotypes of interest and refined to develop a molecular signature of alcoholism phenotype (Ehlers et al., 2004; Enoch, 2013; Kapoor et al., 2014; Wetherill et
