The offspring of alcohol dependent individuals are at increased risk for alcohol and drug dependence in young adulthood over that seen in the general population (Bohman 1978; Cloninger et al. 1981; Goodwin et al. 1973; Kendler et al. 2008). Twin and adoption studies reveal that the heritability for alcohol dependence is between 40–60% (Enoch and Goldman 1999; Heath et al. 1991, 1997; Kendler et al. 1994, 1997; Knopik et al. 2004). The substantial heritability of alcohol dependence also implies a need to search for mechanisms of transmission across generations. Among the mechanisms suggested have been genetically-mediated tendencies toward novelty seeking or harm avoidance (Cloninger 1987), disinhibition (Begleiter and Porjesz 1999; Tarter et al. 2003), under controlled behaviors including impulsivity and aggressiveness (Sher 1991; Sher and Trull 1994), and reduced response to alcohol (Schuckit 1994; Schuckit and Smith 1997). The purpose of this review is to summarize the neurocircuitry that may be responsible for variations in these behaviors in offspring with a family history of AUD.
