Recently, models have been developed to integrate family‐based and Mendelian randomization designs. 162 These methods are ideal for the data available in COGA and can help to avoid the bias from assortative mating that can occur in MR analyses of unrelated individuals. 160 , 163 Future analyses in COGA can leverage the family‐based design to assess causal relationships between AUD and relevant phenotypes in genetically informed studies that simultaneously account for potential confounding from assortative mating.
