Multiple gene ontology categories with q<0.25 are biologically plausible candidates for influencing alcohol-related phenotypes. The top gene ontology category, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, is of interest given the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in brain composition and function [46]. Alpha-linolenic acid is the precursor to omega-3 fatty acids, which have been associated with beneficial outcomes on several immune disorders [47]. Furthermore, studies in animal models have demonstrated a relationship between ethanol consumption and levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver [48–51].
