In contrast to phenotypic associations, and despite evidence for shared genetic liability to externalizing and AUD (Karlsson Linnér et al., 2021; Kendler, Prescott, Myers, & Neale, 2003), PGS for externalizing phenotypes were not significantly linked to hazards for alcohol transitions. GWAS of externalizing phenotypes (excluding substance-related variables) may be underpowered for the detection of cross-trait relationships with PGS (Carey, Agrawal, & Bucholz, 2016; Kember et al., 2021). Perhaps other stage-based phenotypes (e.g. negative urgency, inhibitory control), for which there are not yet GWAS, would exhibit more predictive utility.
