It is now recognized that genetic risk for AUD is likely to be due to common variants in very many genes, each of small effect, although rare variants with large effects might also play a role. These genes are likely to encode proteins in many neurotransmitter systems and signal transduction pathways within the mesolimbic dopamine reward pathway as well as the interacting stress response systems. There have not been many candidate gene studies in AI/AN however it is important to note that the results in AI/AN are often similar to findings in individuals of European ancestry.
