However, even given the above mentioned limitations we were able to use parallel ICA factorization to identify brain volume variations associated with AUD severity. Increased hazardous alcohol use is significantly associated with smaller cerebellar and caudate volumes along with larger ventricle volumes. Using this intermediate brain phenotype we identified one CNV region at chromosome 11 q14.2 in a genome-wide copy number analysis that was marginally associated with brain volume variations. Deletion carriers in this region show significantly smaller cerebellar and caudate volumes and larger 5th ventricle volumes than insertion carriers or subjects with no variation in this region. They also show significantly higher alcohol use disorder severity loading coefficients than insertion carriers or subjects with no variation. The results presented here suggest that CNVs and in particular the CNV at chromosome 11 q14.2 corresponding to the ME3 gene may have an impact in cerebral volume variation as well as upon hazardous drinking behavior.
