Recruitment and assessment procedures have been outlined previously [Begleiter et al., 1995; Reich et al., 1998; Foroud et al., 2000; Nurnberger et al., 2004]. Alcoholic probands were recruited from inpatient and outpatient treatment centers and control families were selected from HMOs, drivers’ license records, and dental clinics, with the objective of obtaining representative samples of the communities at each recruitment site. Prior to administration of a neurophysiological battery and drawing of blood for DNA extraction, alcohol dependent subjects were required to have been detoxified in a 30-day treatment program and not exhibit withdrawal symptoms. Subjects were excluded from assessment for any of the following: (1) recent substance and alcohol abuse (i.e., positive breath-analyzer test and/or urine screen); (2) hepatic encephalopathy/cirrhosis of the liver; (3) significant history of head injuries, seizures or neurosurgical procedures; (4) uncorrected sensory deficits; (5) subjects taking medication known to influence brain functioning (e.g., any psychotropic drugs); and (6) history or symptoms of psychoses.
