Most studies of electrophysiological responses in subjects at risk for alcoholism have focused on males. Results from female offspring have been less consistent (Hill and Steinhauer 1993; Hill et al. 1995b). Data from COGA indicate that P3 amplitudes are significantly lower in daughters of alcoholics from densly alcoholic families, although not to the same extent as in sons of alcoholics (SOA’s). These data are illustrated in the figure for both sons and daughters of alcoholic men from densely alcoholic families. Offspring of alcoholic women were excluded from the study to rule out the effects of possible prenatal alcohol exposure.
