In summary, our high-throughput assay detected 122 SNPs that significantly affect gene expression in either of two neuroblastoma cell lines (FDR < 0.05), 30 of which altered the RNA levels in the same direction in both. Although many of the SNPs had the same direction of effect in both cell types, some were cell-type specific, indicating that it is important to examine the effects of SNPs in multiple cell lines. These functional SNPs could contribute to the development of alcohol dependence and related phenotypes. Our study demonstrates one way of moving from GWAS association into biological mechanism, providing more insight into risk factors for AD/AUD.
