In summary, subjective responses to alcohol appears to meet several of the criteria for evaluating an endophenotype put forth by Tsuang, Faraone, and Lyons (1993). However, the most consistent evidence comes from studies using the SHAS, which, as discussed above, seems to capture both positive and negative aspects of intoxication, arguably loading most strongly on the negative facets. Therefore, additional work capturing the reinforcing and stimulant effects of alcohol and carefully examining its utility as an endophenotype for alcoholism is warranted.
