Adolescence represents a critical link between childhood and adulthood. It is a developmental period characterized by tremendous physical changes (e.g., growth spurt, brain development, sexual maturation), psychological development (e.g., identity development), and social role transitions. One of the hallmarks of adolescence is an increase in risk taking behavior, as adolescents increasingly experiment and engage in the world. What is perhaps less widely recognized is that there are parallel dynamic changes that occur across adolescence in the importance of genetic effects. Using the literature on alcohol use and misuse as a model, we review overarching principles regarding genetic effects on adolescent behavior.
