in early and mid-adolescence (Kendler et al., in press). These results are consistent with the notion that AUDs develop as the result of a genetically influenced, externalizing pathway (Krueger et al., 2002; McGue, Iacono, Legrand, Malone, & Elkins, 2001), and indicate that susceptibility to environmental influences in adolescence may be more of a trait-like characteristic that affects risk for a range of psychopathology (GxE pleiotropy) (Belskey & Pluess, 2009; Uher & McGuffin, 2008). Continued investigation of alcohol-related GxE has the potential to both clarify the specificity of alcohol-related GxE and inform nosological classifications.
