Alcohol dependence (AD), characterized by excessive drinking and diagnosed using features such as loss of control over drinking and excessive consumption despite negative consequences, is one of the most common and costly public health problems worldwide 1. In the United States (U.S.), 12.5% of the population meets criteria for DSM-IV AD1,2. AD is a complex disease with both genetic and environmental underpinnings and an estimated heritability around 50% 3. Identification of loci associated with AD liability could provide new insights into the biological mechanisms underlying this serious disorder and lead to new therapeutic pathways.
