In this review, we provide an overview of recent molecular genetic findings of alcohol use behaviors from the largest GWAS performed to date. Other reviews have elegantly summarized findings from twin and family studies of heritability, linkage, candidate gene and GWAS [e.g. (3–6)], and we extend on recent reviews of the molecular genetics of AUD (7–9) by including additional GWAS of alcohol use behaviors that identify genome-wide significant hits (P-value < 5 × 10−8). In addition, we discuss the application of polygenic methods, which provide mounting evidence that alcohol use and misuse are partially distinct. Finally, we delineate future directions to investigate the different etiologic sources that underlie the life course of alcohol use behaviors.
