is not clear how important studies using model organisms will be as many genomic regions of interest are not well conserved across species. The methodological issues that have plagued the discovery of ‘risk’ genes for AUD are also the nemesis of epigenetic studies. These issues include small sample sizes with inadequate representation of diverse populations. Longitudinal studies of both affected (e.g., persons in treatment) and unaffected subjects who have not yet initiated heavy drinking are needed.
