The numerous orthologs of genes that influence both human AUD and alcohol-related behaviors in iMOs support the concept of conservation of gene function in alcohol responses in humans and iMOs. Thus, additional genetic information gleaned from the fly and worm models should have translational utility for understanding AUD in humans. Given the intrinsic and unavoidable differences between studies in iMOs and humans (see Genetics of Alcohol Behavior in Invertebrate Model Organisms and Human AUD), it is reasonable to expect that not all alcohol behavior genes identified in iMOs will be associated with human AUD. Nevertheless, orthologs of alcohol behavior genes in iMOs (Table 3) might be prime candidates for targeted investigations in studies on human AUD. Conversely, additional orthologs of genes identified in studies on human AUD could be investigated in iMOs to better understand (i) the fundamental alcohol behavioral consequences of altered gene function and (ii) the genetic pathways and gene networks that function in concert with the originally identified human AUD gene. An understanding of these 2 aspects of gene function in iMOs might ultimately provide a more
