Chunk #30 — Discussion — Contrast with Interpretation of Results from the only Prior Study of ADH1B and Childhood Adversity Effects on Alcohol-Related Phenotypes
study were the noncarriers exposed to adversity in childhood, who endorsed the largest number of AUD criteria. In other words, we found that childhood adversity attenuated the protective effects of the A allele, whereas Meyers et al. found that the A allele maintained its protective effect under conditions of childhood adversity, but in the absence of the A allele, childhood adversity was associated with heavy and problem drinking. The differences between the two studies in the observed joint effects of rs1229984 and childhood adversity on AUD symptoms are likely related to sample differences: one drawn from a population with relatively low rates of alcohol consumption and problem drinking versus one ascertained on substance use disorder status (in the individual or a family member) reporting high rates of alcohol use and drinking problems. A reduction in the protective effect of the A allele under conditions of childhood adversity may only be observable in the context of heavy alcohol consumption.
