The present study has found that a KCNJ6 polymorphism (rs702859) was associated with reward related theta EROs in a large sample of young adult subjects. The results of the present study suggest that KCNJ6, through its protein GIRK2, exerts strong moderating effects on theta EROs. Growing evidence from the literature suggests that KCNJ6 / GIRK2 may be a promising therapeutic target for alcoholism and related disorders. Functional studies on the KCNJ6 system, which are underway in COGA, may shed further light on neurogenetic mechanisms underlying cognitive processes and alcoholism.
