Third, we confirmed that the genetic contributions to alcohol consumption are partially distinct from those pertaining to problematic consequences of alcohol use. In-silico analyses revealed the value of dissecting the two phenotypes, as gene- and transcriptome-based analyses identified partially divergent biological mechanisms for Consumption and Problems. For example, the corticotrophin receptor gene (CRHR1), which has been associated with alcohol use in animals and humans (40, 41), was associated with Consumption only. As a result, we are now beginning to uncover genetic signals for aspects of alcohol involvement that have the potential to be further analyzed at the molecular, cellular and circuit level in cellular and animal model systems.
