Subsequent studies of LR in humans and laboratory animals are abundant. However, the phenotypic targets of such studies across species are not necessarily the same. Because of the inherent power of animal studies to explore neurobiological mechanisms including genetic sources of influence, it would be advantageous to be studying related phenotypes across species. We consider four different domains of LR in humans and attempt to evaluate their potential as targets for the further development of more consilient phenotypes in humans and in laboratory animals. In discussing the animal literature, we concentrate on rodents and review evidence for the genetic relationship between “low response” in rodents (variously defined) and two alcohol-related traits – two-bottle preference drinking, and the severity of withdrawal after chronic alcohol exposure. As there is no “gold standard” end point in rodents (the search for a better version of which is one of the goals of the consilience project), we have focused on these two as they are very commonly studied, have some degree of face validity, and have been extensively genetically characterized.
