This study sought to examine allelic associations between 2 SNPs of the GABRG1 gene (rs1391166 and rs1497571) and alcohol phenotypes, namely level of response to alcohol, alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems. Results revealed that variation in a SNP located on intron 7 of the GABRG1 gene, rs1497571, was associated with level of response to alcohol, drinking behavior, and alcohol problems in a sample of hazardous drinkers. More specifically, individuals who were homozygous for the C allele at this locus reported a lower level of response to alcohol as demonstrated by a higher number of drinks reported to reach certain intoxication effects. These individuals also reported consuming more alcohol per drinking episode, on average, had a higher maximum number of drinks in a drinking episode and scored higher on the AUDIT.
