Our heritability estimate (12% ± 1.91) was lower the previous estimate by Mbarek et al (30% ± 12; 2015). While we cannot provide a definitive explanation for this discrepancy, we note that heritability estimates are not expected to be consistent across different populations. Differences between the two populations include geographic location (Dutch vs. US), the dichotomization of the phenotype by Mbarek et al (2015), heavier alcohol use in Mbarek’s cohort and limited AUDIT scores > 15 in our study.
